Uijeongbu City Launches Cultural Innovation Roadmap
Announces Roadmap for Realizing a Citizen-Centered Cultural City
Spotlight on Uijeongbu's Potential for Cultural Innovation,
Rooted in Historical Legacy and Youthful Sensibility
Strengthening Identity-Based Content,
Including "Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession" and "Taejo Portrait"
Promoting a Self-Sustaining Ecosystem and Stay-Type Tourism
Through Integration of Cultural Industry and Tourism
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) announced the "Uijeongbu Cultural Innovation Roadmap" at Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum on the 16th, officially embarking on efforts to realize a citizen-centered cultural city.
Kim Donggeun, mayor of Uijeongbu, held a press conference on the 16th at Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum to explain the "Uijeongbu Cultural Innovation Roadmap." Provided by Uijeongbu City
Mayor Kim Donggeun emphasized, "If the economy is the foundation of a city, culture is the key that determines the way of life and the dignity of a city," adding, "We will elevate Uijeongbu to become the cultural capital of the northern region and create a city that enhances the pride of its citizens."
Uijeongbu, a city whose name symbolizes its central role in national administration during the Joseon Dynasty, is recognized as a city with potential for cultural innovation, based on its regional characteristic of a high cultural consumption rate among younger generations.
The demand for arts and culture among citizens has also been steadily increasing, and on this foundation, Uijeongbu was designated as the first "legal cultural city" in northern Gyeonggi Province in 2022.
Through this roadmap, the city aims to become a cultural city that permeates the lives of its citizens, focusing on three main strategies and twelve key initiatives: strengthening urban identity, expanding cultural accessibility, and growing industries based on culture.
This is not simply about increasing the number of cultural events, but rather about implementing a comprehensive cultural strategy to enhance the city's dignity and competitiveness, reflecting the philosophy that "cultural power is urban competitiveness."
The first strategy focuses on building a distinctive identity and city image based on Uijeongbu's unique history and stories.
Key initiatives include the "Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession" and the production of the "Taejo Portrait," the opening of a public archive platform, attracting large-scale international events, and creating Yonghyeon Industrial Complex as a space where culture and leisure coexist.
The "Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession" is the only project of its kind nationwide, reviving the historical identity of Uijeongbu by bringing together the two kings across 620 years. As part of the Hoeryong Cultural Festival, a large-scale reenactment involving about 1,000 citizens will be held on the 28th, from September 27 to 28.
The production of the "Taejo Portrait" is a project that visually represents the origin of the name "Uijeongbu," which was the center of national administration during the Joseon Dynasty. Through expert verification and meticulous restoration, it will further enhance the city's brand symbolism.
Kim Donggeun, mayor of Uijeongbu, held a press conference on the 16th at Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum to explain the "Uijeongbu Cultural Innovation Roadmap." Provided by Uijeongbu City
The "Public Archive Platform" will serve as a hub for archiving the region's collective memory with citizens, creating an open cultural space that shares records of the past and connects with future generations. In addition, by attracting global religious and music festivals, the city will enhance its status as a global cultural city, and develop Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, where culture and leisure coexist, as a new model for urban competitiveness.
The second strategy focuses on improving cultural accessibility so that citizens can easily experience and participate in culture in their daily lives.
To ensure a "15-minute cultural living zone," the city will build the Uijeongbu Municipal Baek Youngsoo Art Museum, establish the Shin Sangho Gallery, and relocate and rebuild the Uijeongbu Cultural Center. Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum will also strengthen its connection with "Saispace," a private cultural sharing space, to expand the flow of culture.
To expand citizen-participatory cultural content, the city will operate the "1 Million Won Laboratory," "Policy Festa," "Bbaebbeol Village Project," and the "2025 Yoga Embracing the Stars" program, laying the foundation for cultural autonomy by allowing citizens to participate as both planners and operators. In particular, "Yoga Embracing the Stars" is gaining attention as a citizen-oriented program that helps realize leisure in daily life, in connection with Songsan Temple Site Neighborhood Park.
The "Uijeongbu Cultural City Online Platform," launched in March, is expanding digital accessibility by serving as a digital plaza that organically connects citizens, resources, and information. It provides a wide range of local cultural information, from performances, exhibitions, and artworks to policy materials and video records, making it easy for anyone to search and view.
In addition, welfare-linked cultural facilities such as Hoho-dang Branch 2, Everyone's Playground, Shimmaru, and Gajaeul Library, Art Library, and Design Library will create an environment where all citizens can enjoy cultural opportunities.
The third strategy aims to establish a growth foundation that revitalizes the urban economy by linking tourism and the content industry based on cultural expansion.
Key initiatives include the launch of the Uijeongbu Culture and Tourism Foundation, the promotion of Uijeongbu-style cultural industry startups, the development of tourism and local festivals, and the creation of the CRC Design Cluster.
The "Uijeongbu Culture and Tourism Foundation" will be established as a specialized institution that drives simultaneous growth of the city brand and local economy by leveraging the synergy between culture and tourism. The foundation will promote the branding of cultural resources and the commercialization of tourism products, while also implementing strategies to vitalize nighttime tourism and increase visitor stay duration, thereby improving the current day-trip-focused tourism structure.
The "Uijeongbu-style Cultural Industry Startup" initiative will strengthen collaboration with local artists and support content entrepreneurship. By establishing a system that connects everything from production to distribution and sales, the city will support local sales channels and expand the operation of a permanent art market, building a sustainable distribution foundation.
Kim Donggeun, mayor of Uijeongbu, is viewing the replica exhibition of royal portraits from the Joseon Dynasty nationwide with reporters at Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum on the 16th. Provided by Uijeongbu City
Tourism and local festivals will develop into sustainable cultural and economic assets, going beyond simple events. Specifically, the city will strengthen its connection with local businesses through specialized content such as "Uijeongbu One-Day Trip," "Black Music Festival (BMF)," and the "Uijeongbu-style Local Festa." In particular, the newly reopened Island Castle is establishing itself as a key hub for stay-type tourism and as a multipurpose venue capable of hosting large-scale cultural, sports, and convention events. It is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming Uijeongbu from a bedroom community into a city of leisure and culture.
The "CRC Design Cluster" is a symbolic project that transforms the returned U.S. military base, which was sacrificed for national security for 70 years, into a creative complex cultural space. It is gaining attention as a new growth axis that connects Uijeongbu's cultural identity with future industries. The cluster will concentrate creative industries such as media content, design, and AI, and, in connection with the designation as a Free Economic Zone, will be developed as a core hub for the cultural industry in northern metropolitan Seoul.
Mayor Kim Donggeun stated, "Cities no longer compete only with industry or infrastructure. Now, culture is the core driving force that determines the future of a city," adding, "We will focus all our capabilities so that Uijeongbu can grow into a self-sustaining city through culture and establish itself as the cultural center of northern Gyeonggi Province."
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