30 Years of Pohang City and Yeongil County Integration
Commemorative Ceremony for Pohang Citizens' Day Successfully Held
Grand Chorus of Hope with 300 Participants Including Children, Youth, Seniors, Soldiers, and Homemakers
On July 1, Pohang City held the "2025 Pohang Citizens' Day Ceremony" at Daejam Hall in the Culture Building of City Hall, commemorating the meaningful 30-year journey since the unification of Pohang City and Yeongil County together with its citizens.
Pohang City held the "2025 Pohang Citizens' Day Ceremony" on the 1st at the Daejam Hall in the Culture Building of City Hall. Photo by Pohang City
This event was an opportunity to reflect on the footsteps of regional development over the 30 years since the integration of Pohang City and Yeongil County, and to express gratitude to the "great citizens" who made this possible. It also served as a moment to reaffirm the city's commitment to shaping the next 100 years of Pohang together with its citizens.
The ceremony began with a celebratory performance by the Pohang City Symphony Orchestra and city ambassador Ryu Yeonju, followed by a reading of the Citizens' Charter by the Yeonorang Seonyeo couple, a special award and the Pohang Citizen Award commemorating the 30th anniversary of city-county integration, a themed performance and leap-forward performance, and concluded with a grand chorus of hope by the citizens, delivering a powerful message.
In particular, the "30th Anniversary Special Award" was presented to 16 unsung heroes from various parts of the region, in recognition of their silent dedication to Pohang's transformation and integration. The awards were given in three categories: Prosperous Pohang, Safe and Clean Pohang, and Warm Pohang, leaving a deep impression on attendees.
The "Pohang Citizen Award," which is given to citizens who have contributed to the development of the local community and the cultivation of civic consciousness, was awarded to Lim Hakjin, President of Pohang Fisheries Cooperative; Song Bangcharang, CEO of Unico Precision Chemical; and Monk Haeun (Chief Monk of Wonbeopsa Temple).
Mayor Lee Gangdeok, City Council Chairman Kim Ilman, as well as representatives from all walks of life?including children, youth, seniors, women, people with disabilities, the Yeonorang Seonyeo couple, and Citizen Award recipients?participated in the commemorative ceremony and performed the "Leap to the Future Performance."
This scene, created by the unity of diverse generations and social groups, symbolically demonstrated Pohang City's commitment to writing the next 100 years together with its citizens.
The highlight of the ceremony was the "Grand Chorus of Hope," in which over 300 citizens?including children, youth, young adults, seniors, soldiers, homemakers, office workers, and public officials?took the stage to sing "Yeongilman Chingu" and "Pohang Citizens' Song" together, expressing the strength of a united Pohang and hope for the future.
Mayor Lee Gangdeok stated, "The integration of Pohang City and Yeongil County laid the foundation for regional development, and today's Pohang is the miraculous result achieved together with our great citizens. For the next 100 years, we will create a new 'Miracle of Yeongilman' together with our citizens."
He went on to emphasize, "The 30th anniversary of integration is a symbolic milestone marking a journey of change, progress, unity, and growth. Now, it is time to design a greater and bolder future on this foundation."
Pohang City broadcast the ceremony live on HCN Gyeongbuk Broadcasting and the city's official YouTube channel, sharing the moving moments with citizens who could not attend in person.
Pohang City and Yeongil County were officially integrated on January 1, 1995, ushering in a new era of local autonomy. Pohang Citizens' Day was established in 2004 to commemorate the opening of Pohang Port on June 12, 1962.
Before the ceremony, Mayor Lee Gangdeok, Chairman Kim Ilman, former Mayor Park Gihwan, former City Council Chairman Jin Byungsu, Chairman Naju Young of the Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Park Mancheon, Chairman of the Citizen Award Recipients, attended a pine tree planting event next to the Yeonorang Seonyeo statue inside City Hall to commemorate the 30th anniversary of integration.
Before the commemorative ceremony, a pine tree planting event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the integration was held next to the Yeonorang Seonyeo statue inside City Hall. (From left: Naju Young, Chairman of Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Jin Byungsu, Former Chairman of the City Council; Kim Ilman, Chairman of the City Council; Lee Gangdeok, Mayor; Park Gihwan, Former Mayor; Park Mancheon, Chairman of the Citizen Award Recipients). Provided by Pohang City
The pine tree planted on this day will stand as a symbol of hope, representing the 30 years in which Pohang and Yeongil have put down roots together, and the aspiration for an even deeper and stronger next 100 years.
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