On the 6th, 'Dialogue with Journalists' Held at City Hall Conference Room
Sharing Last Year's Achievements and Presenting This Year's City Administration Blueprint
Lee Wanseop, mayor of Seosan City, Chungnam, held a conversation with journalists on the 6th at the city hall's main conference room, sharing last year's major administrative achievements and explaining the direction of this year's administration. Photo by Choi Byungmin, Seosan
Lee Wanseop, Mayor of Seosan in South Chungcheong Province, held a meeting with journalists in the city hall's main conference room on the 6th to mark the New Year of Eulsanyeon, sharing last year's major municipal achievements and presenting the blueprint for this year's city administration.
Mayor Lee stated, "Based on the principles of Seungpungparang and Geuksecheokdo that have guided our city administration, this year I will lead with the attitude of Beobgochangsin (Lawful Tradition, Creative Innovation)."
He highlighted the top 10 achievements of last year, which was designated as the 'Year of Making Municipal Dynamism Visible,' including the full-scale development of Chorok Square and Yecheon District public parking lots, designation as the third phase hydrogen city, and the first international cruise ship operation in the Chungcheong region.
Mayor Lee explained this year's major projects aimed at realizing the five key municipal goals: a prosperous economic city, a worry-free welfare city, a cultured city of dignity, a city of tourism that satisfies all five senses, and a visionary hopeful city.
First, the city will focus continuous administrative efforts on establishing comprehensive transportation infrastructure?air, land, rail, and sea routes?to broaden Seosan's vision as a prosperous economic city.
Seosan Airport, representing the air route, is aiming for completion in 2028, with basic and detailed design work to be carried out this year. The Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway, the land route, is under construction with the goal of opening in 2030.
The railway networks, including the Central Region East-West Trans-Korea Railway, Daesan Port Line, Naepo Line, and Taean Line, aim to be included in this year's national railway network plan. The international cruise ship will operate from May 19 for a 6-night, 7-day schedule.
The Dongmundong public parking tower, designed to improve parking convenience and create a pleasant urban environment, is scheduled for completion in September, and the large-scale parking lot at Seosan Eastern Traditional Market is targeted for completion in December.
Urban development reflecting regional expansion in areas such as Suseok District, Gongnim District, Yecheon 3 District, and Jamhong 2 District will improve residential conditions. The city will also focus administrative efforts on creating a business-friendly environment through the smooth development of industrial complexes such as Daesan Green Complex, Daesan 3, Daesan Chungui, and Hyundai Daejuk 2.
To become a worry-free welfare city, the city will establish a robust welfare safety net by constructing new senior centers, building complex cultural spaces in senior centers and village halls, and increasing two types of veteran allowances.
Through the Education Advancement Special Zone project, the city will establish the Haebom Center in cooperation with the Seosan Office of Education, operating 24/7 childcare services year-round. It will also develop specialized educational curricula tailored to local development strategies, leading innovation in public education driven by the community.
For transportation-vulnerable citizens, the city will extend the operation hours of the Happiness Taxi service to 24 hours, increase special transportation vehicles from 14 to 18, and expand voucher taxis from 5 to 7, greatly enhancing mobility rights.
The (tentatively named) Culture and Arts Town, a major hub for advancing as a cultured city of dignity, will have its implementation plan officially announced this year, laying a solid foundation for its establishment.
Additionally, the Bowonsa Temple Site Visitor Center, Haemi International Holy Site Pilgrimage Visitor Center, and Cultural Exchange Center will begin construction this year, propelling the city toward becoming a global cultural city.
The Performance Arts Support Center, Creative Arts Village, and Intangible Heritage Training Center will hold design competitions, fostering a cultural foundation where local artists and citizens grow together.
In particular, to widely promote and preserve the value of local cultural heritage, the city will pursue the designation of the Bowonsa Temple Site Five-story Stone Pagoda as a National Treasure and apply for the elevation of the Gaesimsa Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha Statue to National Treasure status, thereby enhancing citizens' cultural pride.
As a city of tourism that satisfies all five senses, Seosan will actively promote its charm through events such as the 22nd Seosan Haemi-eupseong Festival, the 31st Chungcheongnam-do Sports Festival for the Disabled, and the 14th Asia Bird Expo.
The city will accelerate the creation of urban sanctuaries for citizens by launching the Jamhong Reservoir Premium Lake Project and completing the Pungjeon Reservoir Trail Project.
To realize a visionary hopeful city, the city will lay the foundation for future growth by completing the Resource Recovery Facility and advancing the basic and detailed design for the new city hall.
Furthermore, by launching the regionally specialized rental smart farm, completing the Ungdo Port Fishing Village Revitalization Project, and finishing the Ungdo Tidal Flat Ecosystem Restoration Project, the city will create a prosperous future through sustainable rural and fishing village development.
The city will also strengthen its urban safety system to protect citizens' lives and property by implementing the Seosan Drainage District (East Area) urban flood response project, crime prevention public design for Buchunsan Mountain hiking trails, and expanding disaster management fund support.
Mayor Lee Wanseop stated, "I will continue to do my utmost to realize a 'Leaping Seosan, Livable Seosan' despite difficult internal and external conditions, with the interest and cooperation of Seosan's 180,000 citizens."
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