The Year of the Fire Horse: Time Starts Again for TK

Beyond Well-Wishes to Strategy
Daegu-Gyeongbuk Leaders Stand at the New Starting Line of Solidarity

The new year of 2026 in Daegu and Gyeongbuk began with a strong sense of determination from the region's leaders. The "2026 Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Year's Reception," where leaders from politics, government, and business gathered to share local issues and seek joint solutions, was held on January 2 at the Suseong Square Convention Hall in Hotel Suseong, Suseong-gu, Daegu.

Political, government, and business leaders gathered in one place to share solutions for overcoming the crisis, emphasizing cooperation on the new airport and future industries. Photo by Kwon Byunggun

More than 1,000 people attended the event, including National Assembly members from Daegu and Gyeongbuk, metropolitan and municipal government heads, local council chairpersons, and key figures from the economic and industrial sectors. They exchanged New Year's greetings for the Year of the Fire Horse (Byeong-o) and pledged a new leap forward for the region. From the very beginning of the year, the venue was energized by serious discussions and exchanges on local issues.

The most frequently mentioned theme at the New Year's Reception was "solidarity to overcome crisis." Participants agreed that Daegu and Gyeongbuk, facing complex challenges such as a low-growth phase, population decline, and industrial restructuring, would find it difficult to discover a breakthrough without cooperation at the metropolitan level.

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In particular, the smooth progress of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, fostering future high-tech industries, expanding the metropolitan transportation network, and creating youth jobs were presented as common tasks. There was consensus that while the political sector, local governments, and the business community should each play their respective roles, organic cooperation is essential.

Remarks from political figures also drew attention. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties who attended the event stated, "When it comes to the future of the region, we must cooperate beyond party lines," expressing their commitment to resolving local issues in the new year. Some officials also mentioned the long-term vision for Daegu and Gyeongbuk, signaling the start of policy competition.

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Local government leaders called on the central government and the National Assembly for institutional improvements and stable financial support, while also emphasizing the need for metropolitan cooperation that would integrate Daegu and Gyeongbuk into a single living and economic zone. The business community also highlighted the importance of public-private cooperation, stating that if the region’s manufacturing base, technological capabilities, and talent are brought together, there is ample growth potential.

This New Year's Reception is seen as more than just an exchange of greetings; it is regarded as the starting point for assessing the policy direction and cooperative framework of Daegu and Gyeongbuk in 2026.

The message delivered by Daegu and Gyeongbuk on their first official stage of the new year was clear: solidarity over self-preservation, action over slogans. Whether this pledge made on the first day of the Year of the Fire Horse will translate into real policies and achievements remains to be seen, but the clock for Daegu and Gyeongbuk in 2026 has now truly begun to tick.

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