Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed his determination on October 14 to transform citizens' lives through initiatives ranging from advanced industries to welfare.
During a press conference at the city hall marking the 100th day of his administration, Mayor Lee stated, "I will focus on executing policies to connect the growth foundation established during the eighth term with visible results in the ninth term."
His vision includes concentrating efforts on fostering advanced industries, improving welfare, education, and transportation, aiming to create changes that citizens can feel in their daily lives.
Mayor Lee introduced the governance philosophy of 'Connecting Governance' and outlined five main goals and nine strategies that will guide his administration's future operations.
'Connecting Governance' signifies linking the foundation laid during the eighth term with future growth potential, ensuring that industrial development translates into citizens' happiness and tangible life changes.
He emphasized maintaining continuity in existing projects while enhancing execution to achieve results that citizens can experience in Ansan's development.
Reflecting on the first 100 days of his administration, Mayor Lee noted, "This period was not about finding a new direction but about reviewing projects initiated during the eighth term and solidifying future execution plans." He added, "I interpret the citizens' renewed support as a call to add visible results on the foundation established during the eighth term."
To secure future growth, the city will focus on fostering advanced industries centered around the Ansan Science Valley (ASV) Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone and the Banwol National Industrial Complex's AI transformation (AX).
The Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, covering approximately 500,000 pyeong, will be developed into a global innovation hub integrating robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart manufacturing industries, while 28 billion won will be invested in establishing an AX demonstration industrial complex in the Banwol National Industrial Complex by 2028.
Plans also include the establishment of a comprehensive hospital with 500 beds and an advanced medical complex at Hanyang University ERICA Campus.
Welfare policies closely tied to citizens' lives will also be strengthened. The city is preparing a program to support young people with rental housing at 1,000 won per day and 30,000 won per month, while expanding tailored support for disabled individuals and assistance for the elderly in housing, care, and employment.
To alleviate the burden of parenting, the city plans to introduce 'Working Mom All Pass,' establish four public kids' cafes, and promote shared parental leave benefits.
In the field of future education, the city will enhance customized academic and career support through a career counseling center and strengthen education in future technologies such as AI and robotics.
Additionally, plans are underway to create an education-focused edutown in blocks 89 and 90 of Sadong, providing opportunities for locally grown talent to find and settle into education, career, and job opportunities.
Central to improving the transportation environment is the integrated development project for the underground Ansan Line. The plan aims to transform the above-ground space along a 5.12 km stretch from Chojin Station to Central Station into a green, park, cultural, leisure, and commercial area, creating a new urban axis connecting the old and new city centers.
The city will also push for the inclusion of a new station on the Shin Ansan Line and the extension to Daebudo in the national railway network plan, improve train frequency during peak hours on the Suin-Bundang Line, expand express bus services to Seoul, and secure 5,000 safe parking spaces as part of its citizen-centered transportation policies.
Moreover, the city will prioritize citizen safety and convenience by operating multi-purpose community centers close to residential areas and sharing accessible facilities such as school gyms, playgrounds, and parking lots with the community.
By 2027, the city plans to expand the coverage of the citizen safety insurance and simplify the application process to enhance support for citizens facing difficulties due to disasters and accidents.
Mayor Lee noted that the eighth term achieved a 92.7% fulfillment rate of its pledges and received the highest evaluation grade of SA for two consecutive years.
He has also laid the groundwork for future development through the designation of the ASV Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, selection of the Ansan Line underground project as a national leading initiative, and commencement of the AX transformation project in the Banwol National Industrial Complex.
Building on these achievements, Mayor Lee plans to systematically manage the timelines and goals for each pledge in the ninth term and transparently communicate the progress and necessary adjustments to the citizens.
He emphasized, "If the eighth term was a time to lay the foundation for Ansan's future, the ninth term will be about delivering results that citizens can feel based on that foundation. We will accelerate ongoing projects and address any shortcomings to achieve tangible outcomes for our citizens."
He added, "Together with the citizens, we will achieve uninterrupted development in Ansan, building results that citizens can feel through action rather than words."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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