Comprehensive Achievements in Economy, Welfare, Culture, and Urban Infrastructure
Presenting the Achievements and Vision of the 3rd Anniversary of the 8th Elected Term
"Together with the citizens, we will create Jinju's third miracle."
On July 1, Jo Gyuil, Mayor of Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, held a press conference in the City Hall briefing room to mark the third anniversary of his 8th elected term, expressing his determination with these words.
Mayor Jo expressed his gratitude to the citizens who have given unwavering support and to the dedicated public officials since he took office as Mayor of Jinju in July 2018. He assessed that "Jinju has developed into a more livable city than it was seven years ago."
In fact, Jinju City has proven its growth into a more prosperous and livable city in various fields such as culture, economy, and welfare, by winning the Presidential Award at the Korea Urban Awards in both 2022 and 2024.
Mayor Jo introduced the achievements of the 8th elected term over the past three years and outlined the future direction of city administration.
The city achieved a milestone by becoming the first local government in the country to successfully launch a micro-satellite. This accomplishment, along with the government's designation of a space industry cluster satellite-specialized zone and the designation of the Munsan public housing district, has served as a turning point for Jinju to emerge as a hub for the future aerospace industry.
The establishment of the KAI Rotary Wing Flight Center, projects to revitalize traditional markets, the Sangpyeong Industrial Complex Innovation and Culture Center and Startup Support Center, and the Innovation City Complex Innovation Center have brought new energy to the region. As the birthplace of four global companies?LG, GS, Samsung, and Hyosung?Jinju has also promoted K-entrepreneurship both domestically and internationally through the launch of the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation, a keynote speech at the UN Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, and the hosting of international forums.
The city has also focused on building infrastructure and developing diverse cultural content befitting its status as a cultural city of Korea and a UNESCO Creative Cities Network chair city. Jinju's tourist attractions have become more abundant, including Somang Jinsan Lantern Park, Namgang Lantern Exhibition Hall, Jinju Fortress History Park, Jungyeong Restoration, Wolasan Forest Jinju, Railroad Culture Park, Mulbit Gallery, Hamo Nori Forest, and the Sunset Observation Deck Road. Events such as the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, selected for the 2025 Asia Festival, the Namgang Starry Night Picnic, the M2 Festival, and the National Heritage Media Art have lit up Jinju's nights. In particular, more than 100,000 people attended the Nongae Festival and the Provincial Sports Festival this year, and the Korea Garden Industry Expo (including the Wolasan Hydrangea Garden Festival) attracted over 410,000 visitors, solidifying Jinju's status as a leading cultural tourism city.
Policies to improve citizens' convenience in daily life have also stood out. The opening of the old Jinju IC tollgate turnaround and the construction and expansion of bypass roads for chronic congestion have improved commuting routes for citizens. The city expanded public parking facilities to 61 locations with a total of 2,300 spaces, and was selected as the nation's top local government in traffic safety index evaluations last year.
Leisure spaces near homes have also increased significantly. The city expanded sports and leisure facilities such as Kkeuti Park in Geumsan Waryong District, Yeongcheon River waterfront space, 21 barefoot walking trails, bicycle paths around Namgang and Jinyang Lake, outdoor sports facilities in Sinan-dong, the Korea Polytechnic University Sports Park, and the Modeok Climbing Wall, providing citizens with more opportunities for rest and health.
By being selected for the rural agreement project, establishing the Rural Labor Support Center, the Eastern Agricultural Machinery Rental Center, the Dumesil Agricultural Theme Park, the Food Integrated Support Center, and the Agricultural Products Comprehensive Processing Center, and achieving sensational sales of 2 million units of the 'Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Burger,' the city has contributed significantly to improving rural life and increasing income.
Jinju was the first in the country to fully subsidize out-of-pocket costs for infertility treatments, and has strengthened its reputation as a UNICEF Child-Friendly City by supporting pregnancy celebration grants and infertility treatment subsidies, expanding Together Care Centers and public daycare centers, building the Hamo Infant Sports Field and children's water parks, and introducing the 100-won city bus fare system. The city has won the "Best City for Raising Children" award for six consecutive years.
Additionally, the city has laid the foundation for becoming an age-friendly city by greatly expanding jobs for seniors, establishing new senior centers, building park golf courses, the Hongrakwon Senior Welfare Center, and senior welfare housing. The city has also improved accessibility for people with disabilities by constructing a cultural and sports center for the disabled, expanding voucher taxis for the transportation disadvantaged, and operating electric low-floor buses.
Through this expansion of public facility infrastructure, Jinju's net assets increased by 1.2423 trillion won compared to 2018, reaching 7.5627 trillion won.
Mayor Jo expressed his intention to swiftly push forward with projects that can be realized within the remainder of his 8th term. He announced the imminent start of major infrastructure projects such as the Namgang Riverside Multipurpose Culture Center, the Yudeung Bit Damsou, the Jinju Silk Museum, the Future Aviation Airframe AAV Demonstration Center, the Mangnyeong Park, the Namseongdang Education Center, and various urban regeneration hub facilities.
He also plans to sequentially complete lifestyle infrastructure projects such as the pedestrian overpass in front of Eunhasu Elementary School in the station area, the Seongbuk-dong Child Welfare Center, the Eastern Public Library, the modernization of Anrak Park, the old Micheon Middle School park golf course, the northern city bus public garage, and the Ihyeon-dong public parking lot.
In October, the city will introduce the nation's first integrated transportation platform, 'Jinju-type MaaS,' and plans to improve public transportation accessibility and access to tourist destinations through outer-area and tourism-type DRT (Demand Responsive Transport) systems.
In particular, he reiterated his intention to maximize the growth of the aerospace industry by strengthening cooperation with Sacheon and, in the long term, pursuing integration. He presented a vision to develop Jinju into an aerospace city rich in quality jobs by promoting the development of JINJUSat-2, establishing a space environment testing facility, and building demonstration infrastructure, including an AAV industry base.
He also announced plans to actively promote the construction of the Korea Entrepreneurship Hall and nurture young entrepreneurs who could become the next Lee Byungchul or Koo Inhoe by establishing the Green Bio Venture Campus and Green Startup Town.
In addition, he pledged to create a vibrant Jinju by pursuing the designation of Wolasan as a national garden, developing Jinyang Lake Sounds Sunset and the ecological base zoo, relocating and constructing the National Jinju Museum, building the Innovation City Complex Cultural Library, the Sinan-dong Complex Sports Town, the Companion Animal Integrated Support Center, the Integrated Water Purification Plant Advanced Treatment Facility, and the Passenger Car Terminal.
Mayor Jo strongly emphasized his determination to "create Jinju's third miracle together with the citizens for a prosperous Jinju and happy citizens," and called for continued active participation from citizens to achieve harmonious governance and transparent, clean administration.
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