[New Year's Address] Sokcho Mayor Lee Byungseon: "With the Spirit of Jumagapyeon, I Will Steadfastly Secure Livelihoods and the Future"

Mayor Lee Byungseon: "2026, the Year to Complete the 'Sokcho Renaissance'"
Focusing Capabilities on Economic Recovery, Citizen Welfare, and Laying the Foundation for the Future
Completion of the 'Nine-Minute Living' Compact City and Securing the Next 100 Years of Momentum
Building a Comprehensive Welfare Network... Achieving Smart Administration and a Compact City

Lee Byungseon, Mayor of Sokcho, welcomed the arrival of the new year of 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse (Byeongo-nyeon), and declared, "I will place the highest priority on the recovery of the local economy, citizen welfare, and the fulfillment of the promises made in the 8th popular election," expressing his strong ambition for the era of the 'Sokcho Renaissance.'

Lee Byungseon, Mayor of Sokcho. Provided by Sokcho City

In his New Year's address, Mayor Lee emphasized, "The past year of 2025 was a valuable time in which we laid the foundations for Sokcho's future, even amid global uncertainties."

He stated, "We have steadily completed major frameworks for the future, such as the opening of two major railways and the development of station areas, the designation of border areas and cultural cities, the selection of Sokcho as a Peace Economic Special Zone, and initiatives for a compact city and carbon-neutral leadership. At the same time, we have been steadily expanding urban infrastructure, such as improving water and sewage systems and preparing for urban flooding, thereby building a safe city where citizens can live with peace of mind."

He continued, "In 2026, Sokcho City will move forward unwaveringly, placing the highest value on 'the recovery of the local economy, citizen welfare and safety, and the fulfillment of the promises made in the 8th popular election.' Through this, we intend to continue policies that will lay the foundation for Sokcho's next 100 years."

Mayor Lee further stressed, "We will create a dynamic economic city where citizens can truly feel the recovery of their livelihoods by expanding financial support for small and medium-sized businesses, small merchants, and the self-employed, strengthening corporate support following the designation of border areas, and revitalizing the regional economy through the activation of the northern shipping route and attracting companies in connection with station area development. In addition, we will enhance Sokcho's competitiveness by revitalizing Seorak-dong, promoting workation initiatives, establishing a cultural city and year-round festivals, and expanding the attraction of large-scale private-led performances."

In the field of welfare, the city will realize 'integrated care' without anyone being left behind. Mayor Lee stated, "We will strengthen our administrative system to take responsibility for citizens from childbirth to education by opening a welfare center for people with disabilities, expanding support for veterans, operating a public postpartum care center, and opening a public English library."

He also presented a blueprint for the future design of the city. The city plans to enhance smart administration based on AI and data, and to maximize urban efficiency by completing the 'Sokcho-style compact city (a nine-minute living area)' where citizens can access all daily services near their homes.

Finally, citing the spirit of 'Jumagapyeon' (urging a running horse to go even faster), Mayor Lee said, "Like spurring a running horse, together with over 700 public officials, we will accelerate the administration of the city," and appealed, "Let us gather the wisdom of our citizens to usher in a flourishing Sokcho Renaissance for the next 100 years."