Announcement of the Direction for Citizen-Oriented City Administration Operations
On the 2nd, Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, announced the direction of city administration for this year at the main auditorium (Gaon Hall) on the first floor of the Global Lifelong Learning Center at the National Changwon University, attended by over 700 citizens.
Mayor Hong emphasized, "Last year was a year that laid the foundation for innovative growth through a major innovation in the manufacturing industry and urban space restructuring, and this year marks the starting point where that potential will explode."
First, he introduced the major achievements of 2023, which laid the foundation for innovative growth.
He explained last year's achievements, including ▲attracting a new national industrial complex as a new innovation hub ▲laying the groundwork for digital transformation of the existing Changwon National Industrial Complex ▲supporting local companies' entry into overseas markets ▲diversifying Changwon's industrial structure through fostering future new industries ▲obtaining ISO 22000 international certification for four water purification plants ▲revising the district unit plan for Changwon's hinterland city ▲approval of the urban railway 'tram' network construction plan ▲and the commencement of SRT operation on the Gyeongjeon Line bound for Suseo.
Changwon Special City Mayor Hong Nampyo is announcing the direction of city administration for this year on the 2nd.
Additionally, he highlighted securing high-quality national government budgets to accelerate future innovative growth, including the largest single R&D project in Gyeongnam history (total project cost of 500 billion KRW, annual operating cost of 20 to 30 billion KRW) for the basic design cost (3 billion KRW) of the next-generation advanced complex beam irradiation facility, establishment of a digital transformation (DX) support center for mechanical and defense manufacturing (4.2 billion KRW), and a strategic study for promoting a defense parts research institute (400 million KRW). He also emphasized laying the groundwork for normalizing long-stalled projects such as conditional approval of the public interest recognition for the Gusan Marine Tourism Complex development project and resolving disputes over the Changwon Cultural Complex Town project.
In 2024, the full-scale development of the new Changwon National Industrial Complex 2.0 will begin, and a major transformation for the next 50 years of the existing Changwon National Industrial Complex will be initiated. The Masan area plans to revitalize through the creation of the nation's first digital free trade zone within the Masan Marine New City, follow-up measures for designating the existing Masan Free Trade Zone as a national industrial complex, upgrading the Bongam and Jungni industrial complexes, and developing and demonstrating ultra-large manufacturing AI services. The Jinhae area aims to establish a foundation to leap forward as a port and logistics hub by attracting an international logistics special zone based on the Changwon central Triport, fully supporting the Jinhae New Port construction project, and expanding the designation of port hinterland complexes.
He plans to establish a rational operating system for park golf courses so that all citizens can freely use them, build a proactive and robust disaster response system, open the Changwon Mom Community Center, relocate and reopen the Changwon Comprehensive Childcare Support Center, and pay closer and more meticulous attention to citizens' happiness and safety.
A basic plan for marine policy linking the coastline will be established, marine leisure tourism infrastructure expanded, operation of the Changwon Cultural Complex Town normalized, and a 2040 sustainable city vision formulated, enhancing Changwon's charm in culture, marine, and environmental sectors to enrich daily life.
By promoting high-speed railway construction, actively introducing urban rail (tram), establishing a basic plan for the future-type transfer center at Masan Station, and expanding inter-regional road networks, a three-dimensionally connected future city will be completed. Plans also include establishing a medical school, settling the Regional Innovation Center University Innovation Support System (RISE), and providing freshman support funds to university entrants in the area to create a dynamic city attracting youth.
Mayor Hong said, "Changwon, the first planned city in Korea and the only special city outside the capital area that has led numerous changes, is now ready to embark on the path of innovative growth opening the next 50 years," and added, "We will do our best to bring about tangible changes that citizens can feel."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
