I Disagree with the "No Fun" Label... Mayor Lee Beom-seok Reveals Why He Comes from Sejong to Cheongju [No Fun City]

<4> The City Runs for Fun
③ Interview with Lee Beom-seok, Mayor of Cheongju
"Many Hidden Fun Spots... Industrial Complexes, Good Transportation, and Abundant Nature"
"Focusing on Local Residents' Enjoyment to Create a Fun City"

Editor's NoteAre you familiar with so-called 'No-Jam Cities,' meaning boring cities? These are cities lacking in things to do, see, and enjoy, making locals feel bored and discouraging visitors from other regions. Since 2019, various cities have been labeled as No-Jam Cities on social media platforms. What started as a kind of meme for fun has evolved into local governments' 'Fun City Creation Projects' in places like Daejeon, Ulsan, Gwangju, and Cheongju. Are cities branded as 'No-Jam' really dull and boring? What makes a city fun? We aim to reflect on the places and spaces where we live.

"Since Sejong Special Self-Governing City was established and people left Cheongju, they are now coming back. Isn't it because it's a fun and livable city?"

In an interview with Asia Economy, Cheongju Mayor Beom-seok Lee responded this way when asked, "What do you think about Cheongju being called a boring city on social media?" It was the moment a change was detected in the mayor's tone, who had maintained calmness and seriousness throughout the interview. When told, "We want to hear about Cheongju's fun from the mayor," he broke into a broad smile and enthusiastically explained while pointing to a map of Cheongju in his office.

Lee Beom-seok, Mayor of Cheongju, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in his office at Cheongju City Hall. Photo by Heo Young-han

Cheongju is considered one of the boring cities on social media. However, this year, the British global financial consulting firm Oxford Economics ranked Cheongju 306th in the world and 3rd in South Korea in its 'Global City Index' evaluating 1,000 cities worldwide. Except for Seoul (41st) and Busan (252nd), it ranks first among basic local governments. Despite being a good city to live in, the 'No-Jam City' label likely stems from its image as a science and industrial complex located in Osong and as a mixed urban-rural city.

Mayor Lee has devoted efforts to policies aimed at shedding the 'boring Cheongju' image, even making 'Fun and Happy City Cheongju' his flagship campaign since running for office. He emphasized, "Cheongju has many hidden fun spots to be proud of and is growing into such a city." Now halfway through his 8th term, we asked the mayor about his vision for a fun city Cheongju. The following is a Q&A.

- Why did you make 'Fun and Happy City Cheongju' your flagship campaign and push it forward?

▲ Cheongju was being called a boring city on social media. Citizens somewhat agreed with this. They expressed regret that there were not enough places to go, see, and enjoy in Cheongju. While attracting tourists and outsiders is important, I believe that first, Cheongju citizens should feel joy in their daily lives, and by creating that, people from outside will come. So, we are focusing on creating various 'Fun' spaces and holding festivals.

Lee Beom-seok, Mayor of Cheongju, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in his office at Cheongju City Hall. Photo by Heo Young-han

- It seems Cheongju puts a lot of effort into festivals.

▲ Festivals are about enjoying together. We held a festival leveraging Cheongju's famous cherry blossoms. Since last year, we have held the Musimcheon Food Truck Festival during cherry blossom season. About 400,000 people, including outsiders, visited. Also, although Daejeon is famous for bread, Cheongju's bread is cheaper and tastier. Cheongju is becoming a popular destination for 'Bread Pilgrimage' tours. To promote projects like Cheongju bread pilgrimages and cafe tours, we hold a Dessert Bakery Festival. We create new festivals that everyone can enjoy, including outsiders.

- What are the achievements of the pledges made for the Fun City?

▲ Last year, we attracted the nation's largest Kovea complex camping site, scheduled for completion in 2026. Camping is growing in popularity. We are preparing Cheongju to become a camping mecca. Also, we confirmed the establishment of a media art exhibition hall in Chojung-ri, Naesu-eup, with 40 billion KRW of private capital investment. Visitors will be able to enjoy differentiated media art themed on Chojung mineral water, along with large-scale music festivals and camping.

We are also attempting to attract a large theme park. However, the funding market has frozen, so progress is slow. Instead, we are investing budgets to create water parks and performance halls in the old downtown area. We plan to redevelop neglected sites around Cheongju, such as the former National Intelligence Service site in Sajik-dong and the Daenong district site in Bokdae-dong, transforming them into complex leisure and cultural spaces.

- What do you think about Cheongju being classified as a 'No-Jam City'?

▲ I cannot agree. There is a lot of fun to be proud of. Cheongju leads advanced industries such as bio and secondary batteries in South Korea. Many companies come to Cheongju due to its central location advantage. The number of users at Cheongju Airport is expected to approach 5 million this year. It has economic power and locational advantages. Cheongju is home to Cheongnamdae, the presidential villa, and boasts outstanding natural scenery. It also has many historical contents related to Jikji Simche Yojeol.

Living conditions are also good. Cheongju has a very high housing subscription rate. Many apartment construction projects are underway, attracting many outsiders. When Sejong City was established, many people left Cheongju, but recently, this population is returning. They come because it is a fun and livable city. Regarding the four cities labeled as boring, Cheongju harmonizes city and natural scenery, but Ulsan feels bleak with its uniform urban center.

- What is your vision of a fun city Cheongju?

▲ I want to create a city where citizens can have various pleasures and fun beyond study, work, and business. I hope it becomes a city where people say, 'I should visit this place in Cheongju this week.' We provide new performances such as alleyway festivals in the old downtown and festivals at the Culture Manufacturing Plant, and create various attractions like playgrounds and pop-up stores. We will accelerate efforts to make Cheongju a Fun City.

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