1,471 Citizens Participated
Net Inflow of Residents in Their 30s and More
On December 18, Iksan City in North Jeolla Province announced the '2025 Iksan Top 10 News,' selected through citizen participation.
This year's selection was conducted via an online survey using Google Forms, with a total of 1,471 participants. The ranking was determined based on the level of public support.
The most selected news item by citizens was the confirmation of Costco's entry into Iksan. After years of administrative negotiations and private sector efforts to attract the retailer, the city signed a land purchase agreement in August. Currently, the relevant licensing procedures and the expansion and paving of connecting roads are underway.
In particular, as this is the first time Costco will open in the Honam region, it is expected to bring various ripple effects, including increased convenience for citizens, expanded market opportunities for local products through a large-scale distribution network, and job creation.
The second most selected news was the 'Net Inflow of Residents in Their 30s to Iksan,' followed by the 'Continuation of Up to 28% Benefits for Dairo-um' in third place. These highly ranked policies reflect the strong impact felt by citizens.
Iksan has achieved a net inflow of young residents for two consecutive years, with a particularly notable increase in new residents in their 30s. The expansion of the returning farmer and rural migrant population, along with youth housing, entrepreneurship, and job policies, are seen as central to the city’s transformation.
Dairo-um has established itself as a key tool driving the local economy, going beyond just being a local currency. This year, the city operated various promotions linked to a 5% additional cashback and consumption stimulation, simultaneously increasing citizen benefits and consumer satisfaction.
The fourth-ranked news was the publication of the White Paper on Municipal Administration for the 6th to 8th elected terms, which was highlighted for officially documenting the trajectory of Iksan's transformation over the past ten years and showcasing the results of citizen-centered governance.
In fifth place was the selection of the 243.7 billion won Royal Palace Natural Environment Restoration Project as a candidate for preliminary feasibility study. This large-scale project aims to restore the damaged ecosystem and develop it into a resource for healing and tourism, and is also linked to the Iksan-style Eden Project.
Other news that made the Top 10 included: the 10th anniversary of the Baekje Historic Areas being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the launch of the Iksan Sweet Potato Mozzarella Burger; the 100-won bus fare system; the 24-hour childcare system; and the success of the Chrysanthemum Festival with ten million blossoms.
A city official stated, "The Iksan City Top 10 News was composed of policies that citizens could truly feel and accept as change," adding, "With the belief that the citizens’ choices set the direction for city governance, we will continue to build a city that inspires pride and realize citizen-centered administration."
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