Mayor Kangdeok Lee of Pohang Vows All-Out Efforts to Advance Key Tasks for Local Economic Revitalization

Maximizing Economic Benefits by Linking the Floating Hotel at Yeongilman Port with APEC Visitor Accommodations
Revitalizing Pohang's Tourist Attractions and Traditional Market Districts
by Attracting Tourists During the Extended Chuseok Holiday

Mayor Kangdeok Lee of Pohang emphasized the need to focus administrative efforts on advancing urgent tasks to revitalize the local economy.

On the 12th, Mayor Kangdeok Lee of Pohang presided over the expanded executive meeting for September at the city hall, emphasizing the need to put full effort into advancing urgent tasks to revitalize the local economy. Photo by Pohang City

On the 12th, Pohang City held the expanded executive meeting for September in the main conference room at city hall, presided over by Mayor Kangdeok Lee.

The meeting began with a themed report on preparations for the "floating hotel" (a cruise ship for overseas visitors) that will operate at Yeongilman Port during the APEC Summit at the end of October, followed by discussions on major pending issues.

Mayor Lee stated, "The floating hotel can simultaneously enhance Pohang's global status and generate significant economic impact for the region, so all departments must be thoroughly prepared to maximize these economic benefits," urging an active response from every department.

He also addressed Pohang's recent designation as a "preemptive response area for industrial crisis," saying, "We must work closely with the central government to continuously identify individual projects, pursue designation as a preemptive response area for employment crisis, and promote the enactment of the 'K-Steel Act' to create a fundamental turning point for the recovery of the steel industry," calling for a concerted focus on follow-up measures.

Mayor Lee instructed departments to prepare for the upcoming Chuseok holiday, which is longer than usual this year, to attract tourists and revitalize tourist attractions and traditional markets. He also directed the strengthening of systems for proactive response to autumn typhoons.

Additionally, he noted that the recent relocation of POSCO employee dormitories to the downtown area-achieved through the joint efforts of public officials, local members of the National Assembly, and city and provincial councilors-will bring positive changes such as urban regeneration and economic revitalization. He called for continued efforts toward balanced regional development, linking this achievement with the selection of Cheongnim and Ilwol-dong for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's urban regeneration project and the "1,000-won housing" policy.

Regarding the recent campaign in Washington, D.C. to lower steel tariffs, Mayor Lee explained, "We directly informed the U.S. side of the serious situation facing Pohang's steel industry due to the U.S. government's 50% high tariff rate, and we launched the campaign to build nationwide consensus beyond just the government and related agencies."

Prior to the meeting, cases of impersonation of city officials were shared, and measures to prevent damage to citizens and strategies to strengthen public awareness were also discussed.

Mayor Kangdeok Lee said, "In order to revitalize the local economy and secure future growth engines, I urge all departments to work together on important tasks so that tangible results can be achieved."