Yisang-il, Mayor of Yongin, "We Will Establish a Metropolitan City-Level System for the City's Future"

City Council Policy Speech "Creating Landmark Parks in 3 Districts"
Next Year's Budget 3.3318 Trillion Won... 2.9% Increase Compared to This Year

"We will focus on establishing a metropolitan-level large city system for the future of Yongin City."

On the 18th, Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, presented this vision for next year’s city administration in his policy speech at the regular city council meeting. In his speech, Mayor Lee announced plans to reorganize the urban spatial structure toward becoming a global semiconductor hub city and a metropolitan-level large city next year, and to expand road and railway networks including major semiconductor cluster connecting roads. He also proposed expanding transportation networks and rest and cultural spaces for citizens, such as creating the largest waterfront neighborhood park in the metropolitan area at the Cheoin-gu Idong Reservoir and promoting the construction of a municipal art museum.

Mayor Lee stated that the budget for next year has been set at 3.3318 trillion KRW, an increase of 94.1 billion KRW (2.91%) compared to this year’s original budget. The next year’s budget notably includes a welfare budget for vulnerable groups increased by 60.2 billion KRW (5.19%↑) to 1.2202 trillion KRW, and a transportation budget increased by 452.2 billion KRW (5.39%↑) for road infrastructure and other transportation facilities to alleviate traffic inconvenience and build the foundation for a semiconductor-centered city.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin, is presenting the city's administrative plan for the next year during the regular city council meeting on the 18th. Photo by Yongin City

Adjustment of Land Use Plans... Preparation of Redevelopment Plans for Old Downtown and Aged Housing

Regarding the reorganization of the urban spatial structure, Mayor Lee explained that the planned population under the '2040 Yongin Urban Master Plan' is set at 1.5 million, and that adjustments to land use plans such as residential and industrial areas will be reviewed, along with the establishment of redevelopment plans for old downtown areas and aged housing. He said, "We will strengthen public support by establishing support centers in line with the enactment of ordinances supporting apartment remodeling." The city estimates that by 2030, about 210,000 apartment units will be subject to remodeling.

Mayor Lee also mentioned the construction of transportation networks and the expansion of public transportation and parking lots as important policies for next year. He plans to expedite the construction of roads connecting major semiconductor clusters such as the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster and the Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex. To this end, Mayor Lee will swiftly proceed with ▲ the expansion of Bogae Wonsam-ro ▲ the construction of the Nam Yongin IC connecting road ▲ the expansion of National Road No. 45, while also focusing on building major urban planning roads that will significantly reduce citizens’ travel time.

Public transportation will be expanded to improve commuting convenience for citizens, and public parking lots will be increased to enhance parking convenience. He explained, "We will improve village bus dispatch intervals by more than 20% by promoting better treatment and training for transportation workers," and added, "Public parking lots in three locations?Yeokbuk District, Angmaeul in Gugal-dong, and Towol in Pungdeokcheon-dong?will begin full-scale construction in March next year."

Creation of Landmark Parks in Three Districts... Significant Expansion of Cultural and Sports Spaces

Mayor Lee also revealed plans to create landmark parks in the three districts. In particular, he presented a vision to designate the Idong Reservoir near the Advanced System Semiconductor Industrial Complex as an urban planning facility park and transform it into the largest waterfront neighborhood park in the metropolitan area. The Giheung Reservoir will also be changed from a recreational area to an urban planning facility park, and Suji Central Park will be developed into a health-themed urban relaxation space.

Mayor Lee said, "We will open the Giheung National Sports Center in July next year and steadily promote the construction of a multipurpose sports facility in the former Giheung Middle School, as well as the Dongbaek Comprehensive Welfare Center and Bojeong Comprehensive Welfare Center." The Poeun Art Hall will reopen in January next year after expanding its seating capacity from 1,260 to 1,520 seats, and the construction of a municipal art museum will also be pursued.

By integrating advanced technology, 60 smart senior centers will be created to assist with elderly health management, and a service will be introduced to accompany and guide elderly citizens to hospitals or banks. To address the low birthrate issue, next year, pregnant women over 20 weeks will receive 300,000 KRW in local currency support, and the pregnancy and childbirth challenge project for prospective parents, which has been piloted at the Cheoin-gu Public Health Center, will be expanded to public health centers in all three districts.

Mayor Lee stated, "Starting with the Giheung National Sports Center opening in July next year, all public buildings planned with swimming pools will be equipped with family changing rooms, showers, and restrooms for people with disabilities."

Increased Investment in SMEs, Small Business Owners, and Farmers

Mayor Lee plans to increase investment for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small business owners, and farmers.

To this end, Mayor Lee intends to establish a 'Yongin Brand Pavilion' on Alibaba.com, the world’s number one intermediary trade platform, to support overseas expansion of products from companies and small business owners. For neighborhood commercial districts, two alley-type shopping streets will be designated by the end of this year, and five more will be added next year to expand support for small business owners. Administrative procedures for constructing a floriculture distribution complex center in Namsa-eup, scheduled to begin construction in 2026, will be carried out without delay.

Mayor Lee added that to create a safe city, natural disaster risk areas such as Mohyeon Ilsan District, Baegam District, Pungdeokcheon District, and Sinwoncheon will be promptly improved. He also said that to efficiently manage wide-area roads suitable for a metropolitan-level city, Internet of Things (IoT) technology will be utilized to quickly identify and repair road hazards including potholes.