Seosan Mayor Lee Wanseop: "I Will Strive to Create Future Value with the Spirit of Beopgochangsin"

Municipal Address Delivered at the 301st Temporary Session of Seosan City Council on the 20th

Lee Wanseop, mayor of Seosan City, Chungnam, delivering a policy speech at the 1st plenary session of the 301st Seosan City Council temporary meeting held at the Seosan City Council main chamber on the 20th. /Seosan City

Lee Wan-seop, Mayor of Seosan, Chungnam, expressed his strong determination by stating, "With the attitude of 'Be inspired by the past, create anew,' I will strive to create future value for 'Rising Seosan' through the diverse administrative experience and broad insight I have accumulated so far."

On the 20th, during his municipal address at the 301st temporary session of the Seosan City Council held in the main assembly hall, Mayor Lee outlined this year's direction for city administration.

Before presenting the direction, Mayor Lee mentioned that despite various adversities such as economic recession, industrial downturn, and unstable international situations, the city made every effort last year to deliver policies that citizens could truly feel.

In particular, he highlighted as major achievements the launch of international cruise ships, the opening of the Seosan Hanwoo Ranch Well-being Trail, passing the local financial investment review for the construction of the new city hall, Seosan Airport, and the groundbreaking for the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway?projects that had been stagnant for years.

He went on to explain the city's operational direction for this year, focusing on five key administrative policies to achieve "Leaping Seosan, Livable Seosan," even amid internal and external challenges, with an emphasis on stabilizing livelihoods and reviving the economy.

First, to build a prosperous economic city, the city will push forward without setbacks the construction of Seosan Airport and the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway, and will make every effort to include the Jungbu region east-west railway and other rail lines in the 5th National Rail Network Plan.

While focusing administrative power on establishing the four major transportation networks, the city will also proceed without delay with urban development projects, including Suseok District and four industrial complexes in Daesan-eup, to lay the foundation for multidimensional economic growth.

Additionally, by creating public parking lots in Chorok Square and Yecheon District, the city will strengthen the central lake park's role as the "lungs" of the city and resolve chronic parking shortages.

As a city with worry-free welfare, this year Seosan will faithfully fulfill its role as a "city where it is good to have and raise children" by easing the criteria for postpartum care assistant support and providing 24/7 childcare services.

Furthermore, by further increasing the honor allowance for veterans and the spouses of war veterans, the city will continue to provide the highest level of respect nationwide for national merit recipients and their families, and will offer quality jobs for seniors to ensure healthy aging.

In particular, the construction of a National Sports Center for the Disabled, a Welfare Center for the Disabled, and the opening of a Job Center for the Disabled will guarantee health, leisure, independence, and daily life for people with disabilities, thereby creating a comprehensive welfare safety net for the socially vulnerable.

As a city of refined culture, the city will focus on the substantial development of the (tentatively named) Culture and Arts Town, which will encompass cultural facilities such as a branch of the National Gugak Center, an Intangible Heritage Training Center, Seosan Cultural Center, City Art Museum, Arts Center, and Seosan Literature Museum.

By promoting the construction of a Performing Arts Support Center and a Creative Arts Village, the city will lay the foundation for all citizens to enjoy culture and the arts. The Bowonsa Temple Site Visitor Center and the Haemi International Pilgrimage Center are scheduled to begin construction this year.

As a tourism city that satisfies all five senses, the city will accelerate efforts to attract home ports, sub-home ports, and port-of-call cruises suitable for an international tourism city through the successful operation of international cruise ships, which will make their second call this year.

The city will also focus administrative efforts on establishing the Garorim Bay Mudflat Ecological Trail, restoring mudflat vegetation, and registering the Garorim Bay mudflat as a World Heritage Site, transforming the area into a hub for marine ecological tourism.

Especially, in celebration of "2025-2026 Chungnam Visit Year," the city will successfully host the 22nd Seosan Haemi Fortress Festival and the 2025 Asia Bird Expo, further establishing its reputation as a tourism city that visitors want to return to.

As a city of visionary hope, the city will focus administrative power on constructing a new city hall, which will become the foundation of "Rising Seosan," and plans to build it as a future-oriented complex with various convenience facilities and green spaces.

The resource recovery facility, which will become a key facility for the region, is expected to stably and hygienically process 200 tons of household waste per day, and the waste heat generated will be converted into energy, contributing to budget savings.

In particular, the facility will include a 94-meter observatory with an adventure slide and rock climbing, various experiential tourism facilities, and amenities for residents.

Additionally, the city will diversify the facilities and content of the West Coast Safety Experience Center, utilize flood trace maps for proactive climate change response, and expand disaster management fund support to enhance citizen safety.

Mayor Lee Wan-seop stated, "For the 180,000 citizens of Seosan, I will not hesitate and will do my utmost for 'Leaping Seosan, Livable Seosan.' In the new year of Eulsanyeon, I will continue to do my best together with over 1,800 public officials with unwavering dedication."