Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam, Announces Achievements of the 8th Elected Term's 3rd Anniversary
1,098 Days with Citizens... Dramatic Improvements in Urban Competitiveness and Quality of Life
Key Achievements Announced, Including Two Consecutive Presidential Awards and Fivefold Growth in Cultural Events
On July 3, Lee Hyunjae, mayor of Hanam, expressed his ambitions at the '3rd Anniversary Talk Concert of the 8th Elected Term' held at Geomdan Hall of the Hanam Culture and Arts Center, stating, "For Hanam to compete with Gangnam, we need to take on even greater challenges," and added, "Based on the relentless efforts made over the past 1,098 days, we will leap even higher."
Lee Hyunjae, mayor of Hanam, is giving a greeting speech at the '3rd Anniversary Talk Concert of the 8th Elected Term' held on the 3rd at Geomdan Hall of Hanam Culture and Arts Center. Provided by Hanam City
This event served as a platform for communication, attended by citizen panels from each district, various dignitaries, and over 1,000 citizens. It was designed to share with citizens the major achievements of the city administration over the past three years?including administrative innovation, transportation, culture, education, welfare for each generation, and corporate attraction?as well as the future direction for urban development.
The first achievement of the 8th elected term is that Hanam became the first city in the country to win the Presidential Award for Comprehensive Civil Service Evaluation for two consecutive years, marking an unprecedented administrative accomplishment. This was made possible by the establishment of field-oriented communication systems such as the Open Mayor's Office and Mobile Mayor's Office, the Citizen Participation Innovation Committee, and the Policy Monitoring Group, as well as the spread of an organizational culture that strengthens the capabilities of public officials.
The city brand, "K-Culture Hub City, Cultural City Hanam," has been substantiated with numbers. The 'Music in the Hanam' festival saw its audience increase more than fivefold, from 5,000 in its first year (2023) to 26,000 this year. The 'Stage Hanam' busking program has become a representative street culture event, with a total of 172 performances and 60,000 citizens participating over the past three years. The creation of barefoot loess and sand trails at 10 locations in the city has connected citizens' steps with nature.
As efforts to enhance quality of life?such as expanding opportunities for cultural enjoyment and creating nature-friendly leisure spaces?have continued, Hanam rose from 17th place in 2022 to 4th place in 2024 in the 'Most Livable Cities in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (65 basic local governments)' ranking announced by the Urban Research Institute.
The education sector has also seen significant changes. As a result of initiatives such as the High School Academic Improvement Project, online career consulting, and campus tours, the number of students admitted to major universities in Seoul and to medical and pharmaceutical programs increased sharply from 164 in 2023 to 287 this year. The city is also pursuing the establishment of Misa 5th Middle School and Misa 4th High School, and discussions are underway regarding the separation of the Office of Education.
In childcare and welfare, Hanam has strengthened its foundation as a city conducive to raising children by providing childbirth incentives of up to 20 million won, postpartum care expenses, paternity leave allowances, and expanding Hanam-style school zones. The city also broadly supports young people through programs such as the Youth Honorary Mayor System, loan interest subsidies, and job training expenses.
In addition to expanding job opportunities for seniors, the city supports their stable lives through the annual 'Tong Hanam' transportation subsidy of 160,000 won and the increased veterans' honor allowance of 170,000 won per month.
Secondly, long-awaited projects such as the undergrounding of power lines in the old downtown area and the challenging Suseok Bridge (four lanes) are being rapidly promoted. This includes the construction of a new road connecting Misa to the Misa IC, and the adjustment of the location of the (tentatively named) Sindukpung Station on the extended Line 3 to connect with the Plaza of Encounters.
The transportation infrastructure has also changed significantly. Over the past three years, the city has established or added 10 routes and 54 buses, introduced a semi-public operation system for village buses, and shortened the interval between trains on Line 5 during rush hour from 10.6 minutes to 7.1 minutes.
Thirdly, by developing self-sustaining sites and actively attracting outstanding companies, Hanam is laying the foundation to more than double its per capita gross regional domestic product (GRDP) within the next five years and become a self-sustaining city abundant with jobs.
The city has also achieved results in attracting companies and expanding its self-sustaining base. Hanam has attracted 12 companies, including the (tentatively named) Yonsei Hanam Hospital, Seohee Construction, and BC Card, resulting in 817.9 billion won in private investment and the creation of over 2,000 jobs.
Development is progressing rapidly on self-sustaining sites in Gyosan New Town, where strategies to attract AI companies are being applied, as well as on the 'K-Star World' complex, which will house a K-pop concert hall and film studio, and the Camp Colbern advanced industrial complex.
Meanwhile, regarding the expansion of the East Seoul Substation, Hanam City announced that it will continue active communication to alleviate citizens' concerns and widely gather residents' opinions.
In addition, following the completion of Seoul City's response in March this year to the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam, the project is gaining momentum with Seoul City's decision to convert it into a publicly funded project.
During the event, six citizen panelists representing all areas of Hanam took the stage to honestly share the changes they have experienced in their daily lives. Jang Seungki, head of Sinjang 1-dong, spoke about changes in civil services and welfare; Park Hyojeong, president of the Gam-il Middle School Parents' Association, discussed improvements in the childcare environment; and 11-year-old dancer Poppin Lilgun smiled brightly on stage, saying, "Hanam is a city where culture and the arts are alive."
Jang Jiyeon, vice-chairman of PXG and CEO of Kane Co., highlighted Hanam's efforts to attract businesses; Jung Huisoon, former president of the Hanam City Daycare Association, expressed satisfaction with various educational support policies; and Lim Jongseong, chairman of the HN Youth Rights Council, mentioned the expansion of youth jobs and employment support, expressing hope for Hanam as a self-sustaining city.
Mayor Lee Hyunjae emphasized, "I hope that today's talk concert, created together with citizens, will not simply mark the end of an event, but become a starting point for an even greater leap forward. If citizens continue to join as members of 'Team Hanam,' Hanam will surely grow into the top city in the metropolitan area."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
