Mayor Baek Kyunghyun Vows to Create a 'Happier Guri City' in the Remaining Year with Determination

Baek Kyunghyun Holds 3rd Anniversary Press Conference for the 8th Local Government Term
Laying the Foundation for a Self-Sustaining City with the Development of the Guri Topyeong 2 Public Housing District
Establishing Metropolitan Transportation Infrastructure Including GTX-B Stop at Galmae Station and Extension of Subway Line 6

Baek Kyunghyun, mayor of Guri City in Gyeonggi Province, held a press conference on July 2 in the main auditorium of the Guri Women's Happiness Center to announce the achievements of the third anniversary of the 8th local government term, as well as the vision and policy direction for the remaining year.

Guri Mayor Baek Kyunghyun is holding a press conference on the 2nd to announce the achievements and vision of the 8th local government term.

On this day, Mayor Baek stated, "We will ensure progress on 21 major projects, including the development of the Guri Topyeong 2 Public Housing District, the stop of the GTX-B line at Galmae Station, the creation of an E-commerce new growth advanced city, and the extension of Subway Line 6 to Guri City."

Mayor Baek also expressed his commitment to steadily and smoothly promote the relocation of Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation (GH) to Guri and the incorporation of Guri City into Seoul.

He emphasized, "To ensure that the relocation of GH proceeds as planned, we will visit Gyeonggi Province to request working-level meetings and discussions on the relocation of GH. For the incorporation into Seoul, we will continue to carry out related research based on public opinion surveys, hold forums, and continue consultations with the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

As major achievements of the 8th local government term, Mayor Baek cited the completion of 101 out of 142 pledges (a pledge fulfillment rate of 71.1%), receiving an SA grade for two consecutive years in the 'National Basic Local Government Heads' Pledge Fulfillment and Information Disclosure Evaluation', being selected as an excellent institution for 10 consecutive years in the Gyeonggi-do City and County Comprehensive Evaluation, and being selected as an excellent local government for six consecutive years in the Ministry of Health and Welfare's local welfare project evaluation.

He especially highlighted as the most significant achievements the development of the Guri Topyeong 2 Residential District (880,000 pyeong), free vaccination for shingles as a medical welfare initiative, improvements in the treatment of national merit recipients and the creation of jobs for the elderly, and the construction of multiple community centers for residents.

Regarding the creation of an urban advanced industrial zone within the Guri Topyeong District, he explained that although there are legal challenges, the city plans to secure industrial zone allocations, revitalize land for urban support facilities, and expand business support facilities to create a new growth advanced city based on the concept of a smart green city.

Mayor Baek presented the development of the Guri Topyeong 2 Public Housing District as a core project to realize Guri City's vision for the next 100 years as a future city, expressing a strong commitment to creating a specialized city with self-sustaining functions.

The city aims to develop this project as a mixed-use city that not only includes public housing but also new growth industrial complexes and cultural and business complexes, creating a city where people can live and work. Together with Guri Urban Corporation, the city is also promoting the establishment of a master plan and related research for the smart green city concept.

In the Sanodong area, the city is working to create the 'Guri E-commerce New Growth Advanced City', which will include the Guri Technovalley based on K-content, gaming, bio, and IoT industries. To this end, the city is proceeding with administrative procedures such as a preliminary feasibility study, lifting of development restriction zones, and logistics complex planning, with the goal of launching the project.

Baek Kyunghyun, mayor of Guri City, held a press conference on the 2nd to announce the achievements and vision of the 8th local government term. Photo by Guri City

Establishing metropolitan transportation infrastructure was also presented as a key task.

Guri City is making every effort to expand railway transportation facilities, including the stop of the GTX-B line at Galmae Station, the extension of Subway Line 6, the extension of the Light Rail Transit Myeonmok Line, and the introduction of a new tram. In addition, the city is simultaneously pursuing the construction of an underground road through Gangbyeonbuk-ro, the establishment of a new Galmae Interchange (IC), the expansion of the Taereung-Guri IC metropolitan road, and the securing of parking infrastructure.

In the long term, the city plans to expand railway transportation and other infrastructure. In the mid- to short-term, it is creating a safe and convenient, people-centered transportation environment by introducing a public management system for city buses, providing subsidies for the purchase and operation of low-floor buses, and operating mobility support vehicles for transportation-vulnerable groups.

He also mentioned systematic support and management stability measures for small business owners, who account for 90% of Guri City's economically active population.

The city has established a 9.3 billion won plan to revitalize the local economy, supporting traditional markets and local commercial districts. It has also provided legal status to five local commercial districts, including Namyang Market, to establish a practical foundation for protection. In addition, the city is focusing on customized support for employment and entrepreneurship by different social groups.

He also noted that policies for an eco-friendly city are being continued. The ecological restoration project for Inchangcheon is being promoted with the goal of starting construction in September, and the nearby Suridangil is being redeveloped as a specialized street, aiming to create a city where nature and local businesses coexist. Through the Resource Circulation Education Center, the city is systematically training resource circulation interpreters and spreading a citizen-participatory resource circulation culture through comprehensive environmental education.

Mayor Baek Kyunghyun stated, "Although it is a challenging task to complete within my term, I will ensure visible progress on 21 major projects, including the stop of the GTX-B line at Galmae Station, the creation of the E-commerce new growth advanced city, and the extension of Subway Line 6 to Guri City. With the determination of 'geumseokwigae' (even metal and stone can be broken with strong will), I will overcome any obstacles with strong resolve in the remaining year and do everything possible to create 'Joyful Change, Happier Guri City.'"