"There Is No End to Challenges"...Mayor Shin Hyunguk of Mungyeong Announces 3rd Anniversary Achievements of 8th Elected Term: 'Change Is Just Beginning'

Marking the third anniversary of the 8th elected term, Shin Hyunguk, Mayor of Mungyeong, presented his philosophy and practical vision for city administration, declaring, "With relentless challenges, I will open the future of Mungyeong."

Shin Hyunguk, Mayor of Mungyeong, Announces Achievements of the 3rd Anniversary of the 8th Elected Term: "Change Is Just the Beginning" Photo by Kwon Byunggun

On July 8, during a "Media Empathy and Communication Meeting" held in the main conference room of City Hall, Mayor Shin provided a detailed explanation of the city's achievements over the past three years, emphasizing the tangible changes that citizens are experiencing in the city.

This meeting was not merely a celebratory event. It was recognized as a "vision-centered city administration report," as it unveiled Mungyeong's blueprint for urban innovation, concrete achievements in revitalizing the local economy, and the city's future mid- to long-term policy directions.

◆ "Free City Bus Service: Not Just Welfare, But a Paradigm Shift for the City"

Mungyeong's full implementation of free city bus service, launched in January this year as the first of its kind in the nation, is regarded as a groundbreaking initiative that has transformed not only welfare policy but also the very way the city operates.

This policy guarantees citizens’ right to mobility and has directly contributed to the recovery of local businesses and the revitalization of the regional circular economy. In fact, city bus usage has increased by more than 38% compared to before the policy was implemented, and the floating population in major traditional markets and downtown commercial districts has also seen significant growth.

Mayor Shin stated, "Beyond transportation welfare, the daily lives of citizens are changing," adding, "Mungyeong will continue to pursue practical, citizen-centered policies to create a city without exclusion."

◆ After the Opening of the Jungbunaeryuk Railway..."Mungyeong Emerges as a New Economic Hub Connected to the Seoul Metropolitan Area"

The opening of the Jungbunaeryuk Railway in November last year has truly opened a new chapter for Mungyeong's growth. Accessibility to the Seoul metropolitan area has improved dramatically, leading to a surge in tourism demand as well as the potential for increased inflow of businesses and talent.

In response, the city is accelerating the implementation of a smart tourism information system, transfer connection systems, and station area development strategies, further expanding the city's reach and influence.

◆ Mungyeong Saejae as a Stay-Type Tourist Destination..."The Era of 10 Million Tourists Is Not a Dream, But Imminent"

Mungyeong is focusing on developing the Saejae area into a four-season tourist destination, aiming to shift toward a stay-type tourism model.

The ongoing projects for the Mungyeong Saejae cable car and skywalk are considered key infrastructure that will enhance the city's symbolic status and enable year-round tourism.

Additionally, the development of a global wellness resort is gaining momentum. This complex will combine accommodations, dining, and healing experiences, with healing tourism content targeting both families and the MZ generation being developed simultaneously.

Mayor Shin emphasized, "Transforming tourism into a stay-and-consume model will fundamentally change the local economy," adding, "An era of 10 million annual tourists is by no means an illusion."

◆ Integration of Soongsil University and Mungyeong University, Attraction of Korea National University of Physical Education, and Hosting of the 2031 World Military Games..."Securing Future Growth Engines"

Mungyeong is also preparing for the future in the fields of education and sports.

The integration of Soongsil University and Mungyeong University is expected to inject new vitality into the region's higher education ecosystem, while efforts to attract Korea National University of Physical Education and host the 2031 World Military Games are serving as catalysts for raising the city's brand value.

The city is enhancing policy linkages to ensure that these initiatives are not one-off projects, but are connected to youth population inflow, tourism synergy, and the expansion of global exchanges.

◆ Mayor Shin Hyunguk: "This Is the Starting Point of Change...Mungyeong Is Establishing Itself as a City of Challenge and Innovation"

Concluding the meeting, Mayor Shin stated, "The past three years have been a journey of discovering Mungyeong's potential together with citizens," and pledged, "During the remainder of my term, I will deliver tangible results that citizens can feel in all areas, including education, transportation, tourism, and the living environment."

He also added, "Mungyeong is a city that has turned the crisis of local extinction into an opportunity," and, "With bold challenges that break existing frameworks, we will become the center of transformation in population, economy, and tourism."

Under Mayor Shin Hyunguk, Mungyeong is currently evolving into a "platform for experimentation and innovation." Rather than stopping at simple infrastructure investment, the city has embarked on a "reconstruction of the urban ecosystem" encompassing education, welfare, tourism, and the economy, making it a potential benchmark for other local governments. Now, the key issues are sustainability and how much citizens can actually feel the changes. The transformation of Mungyeong is still "in progress."