"Toward a Global City"... Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok Mobilizes All-Out Response to Key Issues

Attracting Top Talent and Companies,
Advancing Urban Competitiveness,
Full Commitment to Establishing an International School
Focusing Administrative Capabilities on Strengthening Future Competitiveness,
Securing National Funding, and Ensuring Citizen Safety

Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok emphasized the need for an all-out effort to advance key initiatives aimed at strengthening the city's competitiveness and propelling Pohang toward becoming a global city.

On November 5, Pohang City held the "November Expanded Executive Meeting" in the main conference room at city hall, presided over by Mayor Lee Kangdeok, to share core municipal issues and future strategies.

Pohang City held the 'November Expanded Executive Meeting' on the 5th at the city hall's main conference room, presided over by Mayor Lee Kangdeok. Photo by Pohang City

During the meeting, the city focused on key agenda items, including a report on the achievements of attracting an international school and expanding the Northern Economic Network through visits to Northern Europe by the Investment Enterprise Support Division and the Advanced Battery Industry Division. The meeting also included a review of the current status of securing national funding and discussed measures to prepare for disasters during the winter season.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "An international school is a core infrastructure that nurtures future talent and improves the residential environment, making Pohang a choice for foreign companies and global professionals. The sustainable development of a city is determined by the quality of its education and healthcare. Only by creating an environment where citizens can learn with confidence and live healthy lives can we truly grow into a global city."

He went on to mention the achievements from last month's participation in the Arctic Circle Assembly, emphasizing, "Building on this meeting, we must strengthen climate and economic cooperation with northern cities and produce tangible results in international cooperation so that Pohang can establish itself as a leading global maritime city in northern economic and carbon-neutral diplomacy."

Pohang City reviewed the current status of securing next year's national budget and decided to closely monitor the schedule for the review of government funding, establishing a comprehensive response system aligned with the National Assembly's deliberation timetable. The city also shared plans to secure national investment budgets through 2027 and pledged to focus its administrative capabilities on discovering new future growth engines.

Mayor Lee instructed officials to inspect the disaster response system in preparation for winter cold waves, strengthen support for vulnerable groups, and mobilize all administrative resources for wildfire prevention, given the dry season.

He also called for a detailed analysis of the impact of the government's steel industry restructuring measures on the region and stressed the importance of preparing fundamental measures that companies and workers can directly feel, such as designating the area as a preemptive response zone for employment crises.

Lastly, he urged thorough preparations to maximize the positive effects on the local economy and tourism industry with the opening of the Pohang-Yeongdeok Expressway.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok emphasized, "All departments must work together to ensure that the key projects determining Pohang's future competitiveness proceed without setbacks. Let us build Pohang into a sustainable city with world-class competitiveness."