Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, has been recognized for his "Connecting People, Industry, and Future" administration, which has led to job creation and revitalization of the local economy, earning the national administrative award for two consecutive years.
On November 10, Mayor Lee attended the "2026 Korea Local Government Administrative Awards" ceremony held at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, where he received the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee Award for the job and economy sector among local governments.
This award acknowledges Mayor Lee's policies aimed at expanding youth employment, fostering advanced industries, revitalizing local businesses, and providing tailored employment support, thereby strengthening the foundation for regional economic growth.
To help young people find jobs and settle in the area, Mayor Lee implemented youth internship programs and administrative training, providing work experience opportunities for 670 individuals.
Additionally, through the Youth Cube and the Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, he has supported entrepreneurship, achieving recognition as an outstanding institution for four consecutive years in the Youth Challenge Support Project.
Efforts have also focused on expanding quality job opportunities through the development of future industries.
The designation of the Ansan Science Valley (ASV) as a Gyeonggi Economic Free Zone and the selection of the Banwol and Siheung National Industrial Complex for artificial intelligence transformation (AX) are part of the push for a shift toward an advanced industry-centered economic structure.
Simultaneously, training future industry talent is being pursued through the Robot Vocational Training Center and the Vocational Education Innovation District.
Mayor Lee has also strengthened support for small businesses and local commercial districts, enhancing their competitiveness through the operation of a commercial revitalization foundation and being selected for a commercial-friendly urban development project for two consecutive years. Customized employment support services connecting job seekers with businesses have also been expanded.
As a result of these policy initiatives, employment indicators have improved. As of the second half of 2025, Ansan's labor force participation rate was 65.3%, and the employment rate was 62.6%, reflecting increases of 2.1 percentage points and 1.4 percentage points, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Mayor Lee emphasized, "This recognition for two consecutive years is a meaningful achievement that acknowledges the innovative efforts of Ansan City to invigorate citizens' jobs and the local economy." He added, "We will continue to implement 'Connecting People, Industry, and Future' administration to ensure that citizens seeking jobs can settle in the region and dream of a better future by listening to their voices and focusing on field-centered administration."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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