Dongducheon City Holds 45th Citizens' Day Ceremony
Selected as Special Educational Development Zone, Secures 336.2 Billion Won in National and Provincial Funds
Mayor Park Shares 8th Administration Achievements... "Citizens' Happiness Comes First"
Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi Province, led by Mayor Park Hyungdeok, held a commemorative ceremony at the Sangpae-dong Citizen Hall performance venue on October 1 to mark the 45th Dongducheon Citizens' Day.
Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, is delivering a commemorative speech at the '45th Dongducheon Citizens' Day' held on the 1st at the Sangpae-dong Citizen Hall performance venue. Provided by Dongducheon City
The ceremony began with pre-event performances by the Dongducheon Municipal Idam Nongak Troupe and the municipal choir, as well as singer Jin Miryeong, who also serves as Dongducheon City's promotional ambassador. The event was attended by over 500 people, including National Assemblyman Kim Sungwon, City Council Chairman Kim Seungho, Provincial Assembly members Lee Inkyu and Lim Sangoh, as well as heads of related organizations, social group leaders, city officials, and citizens.
Mayor Park Hyungdeok presented the Citizen Grand Prize to four individuals who enhanced the city's reputation and contributed to community stability, the Gyeonggi Province Citizen Award to eight individuals recognized in eight fields including the establishment of law and order, and the Mayor's Commendation to eighteen citizens for their contributions to municipal development.
In his commemorative speech, Mayor Park expressed his gratitude, stating, "It is deeply meaningful to celebrate the 45th Citizens' Day together with our citizens since the city's elevation to city status in 1981. The long-standing efforts of all citizens, combined with the collective aspiration for a new Dongducheon, have become the foundation for our city's development."
He went on to outline the achievements and plans of the 8th popularly elected city administration.
To resolve the issue of land previously provided to the U.S. military, Dongducheon City has newly launched a citywide development committee and is actively making proposals and holding consultations with the central government. The city is also steadily advancing major initiatives such as being selected for a pet theme park project, providing medical equipment and operation costs to underserved areas, and preparing measures to revitalize and support the development of returned land from the U.S. military in cooperation with Gyeonggi Province.
In the field of education, under the goal of "Dongducheon thrives when education thrives," the city has significantly increased its education support budget, expanding the scope of hometown scholarships, launching the Dongducheon-style free school uniform program, and supporting overseas experience clubs for students. As a result, Dongducheon has been designated as a pilot area for the Special Educational Development Zone, and the city announced its intention to continue investing until it is officially designated as a special zone after passing through the leading district phase.
Additionally, Dongducheon was the last city in Gyeonggi Province to establish a Facilities Management Corporation, and within just one year of its launch, it won the grand prize at the Gyeonggi Province Active Administration Competition. The city stated that this has led to more stable and professional facility management and improved service quality, resulting in changes that are felt by both citizens and tourists.
Furthermore, to revitalize the original downtown area, the city has successively completed and is operating the Jungang-ro Eoullim Center, which includes a public swimming pool, a complex cultural community center with the Orbit Library, a rest area for military personnel, and the Saengyeon Sharing Nuri Center, which combines urban regeneration and volunteer work. Senior and disabled citizens' centers will also be established in Saengyeon-dong.
Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, is taking a commemorative photo with the awardees at the '45th Dongducheon Citizens' Day' held on the 1st at the Sangpae-dong Citizens' Hall performance venue. Provided by Dongducheon City
To renew the city's image, Dongducheon has secured 30 billion won in national and provincial funds to carry out street environment improvement projects from Saenggol Intersection to Bosan Intersection along Pyeonghwa-ro. The city has also attracted 33 billion won in provincial funds for the construction of the Songnae Complex Parking Tower and over 100 billion won in national and provincial funds for the creation of integrated public rental housing. Including 181.7 billion won in project funds for public contests aimed at improving all aspects of citizens' lives-such as culture, housing, tourism, and transportation-the city has secured a total of 336.2 billion won in national and provincial funding.
Mayor Park further stated, "In 2026, we will strategically invest the development momentum we have secured together with citizens into key projects, such as the Sori Ieum Madang, the Jungang Market live-streaming win-win platform, the parking lot near the Geun Market Sea Plaza, the Wangbang Valley forest trail, and residential improvement projects in Jungang-dong and Bosan-dong. We will also do our utmost to realize a self-sustaining city with jobs by selling plots in the national industrial complex, revitalizing existing industrial complexes, and developing tourism resources connecting Soyosan, Wangbangsan, and Sincheon."
He also emphasized, "To develop Dongducheon into a city with excellent living conditions and a symbol of the Korea-U.S. alliance, national defense, peace, and victory, we will continue to consult with citizens and share all policies together."
Mayor Park Hyungdeok pledged, "The participation and unity of all citizens are the driving force behind Dongducheon's transformation, and walking together with citizens is the path to a brilliant and dynamic future for our city. I will continue to prioritize citizens' happiness in city administration."
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