Yeongju City Declares 2026 as the "First Year of a Leap Toward the Next 100 Years"

Three Main Goals: Stabilizing Livelihoods, Revitalizing the Local Economy, and Responsible Fiscal Management

Yeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province has designated 2026 as the "first year of a leap toward the next 100 years" and will begin implementing its new year municipal administration with three main goals: stabilizing livelihoods, revitalizing the local economy, and responsible fiscal management.

To mark the start of the Year of the Fire Horse (Byeongo Year), Eom Taehyun, Acting Mayor of Yeongju, stated, "With unstoppable momentum like the energy of the red horse, we will steadfastly pursue the core projects that determine Yeongju's future," adding, "We will respond with firm administration so that the daily lives of our citizens remain stable." He also made it clear that he is determined not to let the clock of Yeongju's development stop through uninterrupted governance.

Despite operating under an acting mayor system last year, Yeongju City achieved a record high in attracting investment, marking a turning point for regional development.

Major achievements included a 1.2 trillion won carbon-free power generation project with Korea East-West Power, investment agreements with SK Specialty (500 billion won) and Bearing Art (300 billion won), and the groundbreaking of a 360,000-pyeong national industrial complex for advanced bearings. In addition, Korea Defense Industry's 220 billion won defense investment has further established Yeongju as a leading city for K-Energy and K-Defense.

Other key infrastructure developments included selection as a drone demonstration city, the creation of National Road No. 28, and the confirmation of an EMU train maintenance facility at Yeongju Station, all of which have further strengthened the region's competitiveness.

Acting Mayor Eom emphasized, "Now is the time to shift from quantitative growth to qualitative growth that citizens can truly feel," adding, "We will realize municipal administration where achievements flow directly into citizens' lives."

The core of Yeongju's administration is stabilizing livelihoods. The city plans to steadily advance large-scale projects such as carbon-free power generation, the creation of a national industrial complex, and defense industry investments, while also proactively resolving business challenges through the operation of a corporate Happy Monitor program and safety consulting system.

Additionally, by designating autonomous commercial zones in the original downtown area, the city will strengthen the self-sufficiency of local alley businesses and reinforce a virtuous cycle in the local economy, making Yeongju "a city ideal for investment and happiness for its citizens."

This year, Yeongju will accelerate its transformation into a stay-type tourism city. By enhancing tourism content that connects UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural resources such as Buseoksa Temple, Sosu Seowon, Sobaeksan Mountain, and Museom Village, the city aims to create a structure where tourism spending flows into the local economy. The city will also expand sports infrastructure centered around the sports complex scheduled for completion this year and begin full-scale preparations for the successful hosting of the 65th Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival in 2027.

The city has declared this year as the "Year of Agricultural Transformation" and will foster agriculture as a high value-added future industry by establishing smart farm complexes and expanding eco-friendly agriculture. It will also address labor shortages in rural areas by building dormitories for foreign seasonal workers and supporting the settlement of young farmers.

In the welfare sector, Yeongju will expand citizen-centered welfare by fully implementing integrated care services tailored to Yeongju, providing free city bus rides for those aged 70 and above, and offering free shingles vaccinations. The city will also strengthen its prevention-focused safety initiatives by operating an integrated CCTV control center and improving disaster-prone areas.

Acting Mayor Eom Taehyun stated, "2026 will be a turning point that connects Yeongju's achievements to the lives of its citizens," adding, "Citizens, the city council, and public officials will unite to move toward an 'unstoppable Yeongju, a city where citizens are happy.'"