New Year's Press Conference: "Creating a 2025 of Great Success"
"Let all Jinju citizens unite with one heart and one mind to realize a 'Prosperous Jinju, Happy Citizens,' and create the year 2025 of mutual support (Sangudaetong, 相佑大通) for regional and national development."
Jogyuil, Mayor of Jinju City, Gyeongnam, emphasized this during the 'New Year's Press Conference' held on the 6th at the briefing room on the 2nd floor of City Hall.
Mayor Jo also expressed his determination to realize a 'Prosperous Jinju' through a third miracle.
Mayor Jo self-assessed, "The year 2024 was a year to solidify the foundation for a prosperous Jinju," highlighting that the city’s brand status was further elevated by achievements such as winning the Korea City Award for five consecutive years, receiving the Presidential Award biennially following 2022, winning the Presidential Award for the Korea Space Culture Award at the Railroad Culture Park, the Grand Prize at the Korea Wooden Architecture Exhibition, ranking first nationwide in transportation culture index and safety index, selection for the Sangbong District Urban Regeneration Project, winning the Urban and Regional Innovation Award in the residential environment improvement category, and being designated as the Chair City in the crafts and folk arts field five years after joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Along with this, he introduced the expansion of living SOC closely related to citizens' quality of life, including economic, cultural, and welfare infrastructure. Specifically, he mentioned the establishment of a rotary-wing aircraft center, startup support center, facility management corporation, integrated food support center, and comprehensive agricultural product processing center as future growth engines for the regional economy. The Jinju Battle History Park, completed after 17 years, was created as a space to recall and experience the spirit of Jinju.
Mayor Jogyuil, who introduced various other achievements, expressed gratitude to the citizens, saying, "These achievements are thanks to the passionate support of the citizens. I sincerely thank you."
He then introduced the '2030 Prosperous Jinju Blueprint' and briefly explained the detailed projects for its realization.
Above all, he prioritized focusing capabilities on creating new growth engines. To this end, he expressed his determination to make the aerospace industry and green bio industry Jinju’s third miracle.
Specifically, in the Gasan Industrial Complex in Ibansang-myeon, a test field for parts and flight vehicle certification and safety is being established to attract a future aircraft chain AAV production base. In the Gasan complex of the Aerospace Bureau located in Jeongchon-myeon, plans are underway to develop a cluster centered on a space environment test center with concentrated satellite-related production facilities. Utilizing the Green Bio Venture Campus in Munsan-eup, he aims to nurture young bio entrepreneurs expanding globally.
Through urban regeneration projects in Seongbuk, Gangnam, Jungang, Sangdae, and Sangbong districts, he pledged to revitalize the old downtown area and work on creating a sustainable farming ecosystem.
First, he plans to promote the construction of Namseongdang Education Center, a complex cultural space, and Jinju History Museum to symbolically represent the Jinju spirit embracing patriotism, friendship, and equality. Starting with the completion of the traditional culture experience center, he explained plans to develop Mangryeong Biga Theme Park, a multipurpose cultural center, a public specialized science museum, and a new National Jinju Museum on the old Jinju Station railroad site.
In the new year, as the 100th anniversary commemorative events for Jinju Station, Jinju High School, and Jinju Girls' High School will be held at the Railroad Culture Park Vehicle Maintenance Depot, he expressed his ambition to create a unique cultural and artistic special zone promising the next 100 years, turning it into a tourist destination full of influencers.
He also stated that preparations for the Gyeongsangnam-do Residents Sports Festival, Korea Garden Industry Expo, and Jinju International Women's Volleyball Tournament will be carried out perfectly.
He introduced policies to make Jinju a better city to live in, including the integration of the 1st and 2nd water purification plants and installation of advanced water treatment facilities, expansion of hydrogen charging stations, establishment of a resource circulation center, and development of Sinan-dong Complex Sports Town, Myeongseok District sports facilities, Jeongchon swimming pool, park golf course, and the Nabulcheon National Ecocultural Exploration Trail.
He also emphasized improving accessibility to KTX Jinju Station through a passenger car complex terminal, new national roads, Jinju-type Hwaseong (MaaS) and DRT projects, and expansion of public parking lots.
He stated that special attention will be given to protecting socially vulnerable groups and spreading community culture. To this end, new projects such as hope support funds and emergency care services will be launched from the new year, and support for the 'Happy Childbirth Package' will be expanded to second children and beyond.
Mayor Jo stressed that integration between Sacheon and Jinju is necessary for the effective development of the aerospace industry. He explained that the integration combining the strengths of both cities is a historical inevitability and can serve as a catalyst for the development of Korea’s aerospace industry.
He emphasized that creating an atmosphere for integration at the private level should come first, and through the launch of a citizen integration committee involving both cities, a sufficient public discussion process should be conducted to reach an agreement satisfying both Sacheon and Jinju citizens.
While explaining the '2030 Prosperous Jinju' blueprint, Mayor Jo pledged, "The seeds of hope sown by our city together with the citizens will bear solid fruits creating the third miracle of Jinju. In the new year, we will become a more honest and trustworthy Jinju."
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