Three Consecutive Years as an 'Excellent Institution' in Innovation Evaluation
Achieving Tangible Change for Citizens Through Everyday Life-Oriented Policies
On June 27, Choi Woncheol, Mayor of Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province, held a press conference to mark the third anniversary of the 8th popularly elected administration. He stated, "It has been three years of relentless effort for change and progress in Gongju City," and added, "The time spent working to bring about real changes in citizens' lives is now beginning to bear fruit, one by one."
Since the launch of the 8th administration, the city has implemented over 90% of its 76 pledges. To date, there has not been a single pledge that has been postponed, scrapped, or rendered unfeasible due to lack of funding.
The city has been recognized as an 'Excellent Institution' for three consecutive years in the local government innovation evaluation, and also received the 'Grand Prize for Excellence' in the 2024 Local Government Productivity Awards, earning high marks in external evaluations as well.
For the 8th administration, the city has set four main pillars: ▲a premium city bustling with people ▲a vibrant economic city ▲an education and welfare city where citizens are happy ▲a city of refined culture and tourism. Based on these, it has achieved a total of 12 major accomplishments.
Key achievements include laying the foundation for regional growth by attracting public institutions and implementing population policies focused on the resident population.
The city attracted central government-affiliated institutions such as the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute and the Livestock Environment Management Institute, which is expected to generate an economic ripple effect of approximately 81.3 billion won for the region. Gongju also achieved the top ranking in resident population among areas in South Chungcheong Province experiencing population decline.
In the economic sector, Gongju attracted investments totaling 973.5 billion won from 90 companies, creating 884 jobs. The city has also excelled in attracting companies in cutting-edge new industries such as secondary batteries and in fostering the drone industry.
Additionally, with the opening of the Smart Drone Center and successful demonstration of drone delivery?the third city in the nation to do so?Gongju has been selected as a drone demonstration city for two consecutive years, solidifying its status as a hub for the drone industry.
In the welfare and education sector, the city has focused on improving the quality of life for future generations and citizens through various policies, including support for out-of-pocket costs for child care services, operation of a 24-hour child care center, support for overseas experiential learning for middle school students, and expansion of youth-only facilities.
Furthermore, Gongju became the first in South Chungcheong Province to introduce smart senior centers at 236 locations, presenting a leading model for senior welfare.
In the culture and tourism sector, the city successfully hosted year-round festivals, including the Baekje Cultural Festival, resulting in a significant increase in tourist inflow. Gongju was also designated as the first night tourism specialized city in South Chungcheong Province, rapidly expanding its stay-type tourism content.
The city plans to focus on strengthening its urban foundation and implementing policies closely tied to citizens' daily lives, such as attracting additional public institutions, new town development, and expanding disaster prevention infrastructure.
In particular, Gongju will significantly improve transportation accessibility by constructing new public parking towers at Sanseong Market and Singwan-dong, opening a new connection road for SinGongju Bridge, expanding and paving major congested roads, establishing a BRT line between Gongju and Sejong, and building the second Geumgang Bridge.
Large-scale cultural and tourism infrastructure projects such as Woongjin Baekje Hotel, Baekje Cultural Center, Geumgang National Garden, and the World Paleolithic Park are also being pursued in earnest. Plans to expand urban sports and leisure facilities, including the Jumisan leisure sports facility, Pyeongmok District waterfront space, and outdoor swimming pools, are also underway.
Mayor Choi stated, "In the latter half of the 8th administration, we will focus even more on changes that citizens can tangibly feel," and added, "We will devote all our capabilities to ensure Gongju grows as the central city of the Chungcheong region and becomes a city where citizens' lives continue to improve."
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