'Sangju, the City of Preparation, to Prove Itself Through Execution in 2026'

Mayor Kang Youngseok: "Revitalization Is Achieved Not by Declaration, but Through Real Change in Citizens' Lives"

Sangju City has designated 2026 as the "Year of Execution," aiming to transform its accumulated policies and strategies into tangible outcomes in the daily lives of its citizens, and is embarking on a full-scale journey toward revitalization.

On January 2, Mayor Kang Youngseok of Sangju delivered a New Year's address, stating, "In 2026, under the vision of 'A Historic City with Potential, a Future Sangju in Revival,' the foundation we have prepared will lead to real change," and added, "We will take full responsibility for each key project until completion, realizing a city administration that citizens can truly feel."

Sangju City has set 'job creation' and 'improvement of residential conditions' as the two main pillars of city administration, with a strategy to turn the structural crises of domestic and global economic uncertainty and population decline into opportunities for a new leap forward. The plan goes beyond simply responding to crises, aiming to fundamentally transform the city's structure.

To this end, the city will accelerate efforts to secure future growth engines. It will move forward with the establishment of a secondary battery cluster and leverage the institutional advantages of the Opportunity Development Zone to focus administrative resources on attracting outstanding companies and creating high-quality jobs. For small and medium-sized enterprises and local merchants, who are the backbone of the regional economy, customized support will be strengthened to create a stable business environment.

Sangju also aims to boost its presence in future technology sectors. The city will become a stage where advanced technologies are verified and spread in real-world settings, including the establishment of a drone demonstration city. It will also proactively respond to the government's policy of relocating public institutions by working to attract organizations that align with Sangju's development direction. Expanding youth job opportunities and housing support to create a virtuous cycle of population inflow and local settlement is also a key task.

In agriculture, the city will build an Ag Tech cluster centered on the Smart Farm Innovation Valley and accelerate the transition to future agriculture by spreading AI-based smart farming. Policies to reduce the burden on farmers will be expanded to address labor shortages and changes in the distribution environment, and the competitiveness of agriculture will be enhanced by upgrading the distribution system.

Urban infrastructure expansion will proceed in parallel. The city will make every effort to ensure the smooth construction of the Sangju section of the Jungbu Inland High-Speed Railway, while simultaneously expanding urban infrastructure and restoring ecological corridors to create an environment where nature and the city coexist. The city will also prioritize citizen safety by expanding disaster response infrastructure and establishing a smart safety network.

In welfare and education, based on the city administration philosophy of 'Jonsimaemul' (Respect for Self, Love for Things), a comprehensive life-cycle care system will be completed, ranging from integrated child care to integrated medical care. By building a Sangju-style talent development model that links education and industry, the city aims to create a structure in which local talent raised in the region returns and settles there.

In culture and tourism, the city will elevate its cultural status with the Culture and Arts Center at its core and complete the identity of historic Sangju, where past and future coexist, through the restoration of the North Gate. Systematic foundations will also be laid to ensure the tourism industry spreads throughout the regional economy. Additionally, the introduction of AI-based smart administration and the establishment of a culture of integrity in public service will help realize a trustworthy city administration.

Mayor Kang Youngseok emphasized, "Opportunities are not something to wait for, but something to create," and added, "For Sangju, which has been preparing for the future even in times of crisis, to make a greater leap forward, unwavering execution and steadfast implementation are necessary." He continued, "I hope all citizens will join together in the same direction."