Mayor Lee Ki-hyung Declares 'Great Leap Forward for Gimpo,' Saying "Citizens' Self-Esteem is City Competitiveness"

Gimpo Mayor Lee Ki-hyung Holds First Press Conference of the 9th Administration
Announces 97 Pledges Based on 3 Principles and 5 Key Initiatives
GTX-D, Subway Line 5 Extension, and Expansion of Demand-Responsive Buses
Daily-Life-Oriented Pledges Including Free HPV Vaccinations
Mayor Lee: "Our Promises to Citizens Will Be Proven Through Results"

"A citizen's sense of self-worth is directly linked to the competitiveness of a city. Based on pragmatism, we will bring about changes that citizens can experience firsthand."

On August 10, Lee Ki-hyung, Mayor of Gimpo City, made this statement during the first press conference of the 9th local administration and unveiled his governing blueprint containing 97 pledges. He went beyond merely listing the pledges—he promised quarterly progress checks and the public disclosure of budgets, emphasizing, "Our promises to citizens will be proven through tangible results."

Lee Ki-hyung, mayor of Gimpo City, is announcing 97 pledges for five major leaps at the first press briefing of the 9th local government on the 10th. Photo by Lee Jong-gu

Mayor Lee presented three guiding principles for operating the 9th civil administration: "normalizing abnormalities," "excluding showcase projects," and "prioritizing citizens' convenience above all else." He further announced 97 pledges in five sectors—transportation, education, economy, culture, and welfare—aiming to provide changes that every citizen can truly feel in their daily lives.

To increase the reliability of the pledges, Mayor Lee stated that quarterly targets will be set, regular evaluations will be conducted, and execution rates will be disclosed at all times via the city website. The details of budget execution will also be transparently released to citizens in a household account book format.

As the five pillars to strengthen citizens' self-esteem, Mayor Lee cited: a breakthrough in transportation, educational advancement for children's dreams, a vibrant economic leap, a dignified cultural leap, and a welfare leap that embraces all citizens.

In the area of transportation, he put forward key projects including the extension of Seoul Subway Line 5, the Gimpo-Goyang extension of Incheon Subway Line 2, the incorporation of the GTX-D line into the national rail network, and the extension of the Gimpo Gold Line from Hagun to Geomdan. He also pledged to significantly expand demand-responsive (DRT) bus operations, support school buses and provide transportation subsidies for areas underserved by public transport, thereby improving mobility rights for citizens. Pushing to make the Ilsan Bridge toll-free was also included among the pledges.

Lee Ki-hyung, Mayor of Gimpo City, is announcing 97 campaign promises for five major leaps at the first press briefing of the 9th term of local government on the 10th. Photo by Lee Jonggu

In education, measures include support for students in areas with limited transportation access and the introduction of the "My Child Independence Fund" to help young adults raise seed money as they first enter society. To resolve the issue of overcrowded classrooms, the city plans to establish new schools and actively introduce modular classrooms.

For the economy, Mayor Lee seeks to secure new growth engines by attracting a Peace Economy Special Zone and building the Gochon Aramarina Marine Leisure Education Center. The plan includes expanding support for smart factories, providing up to 3 million won in youth employment incentives, and creating startup spaces for young entrepreneurs to nurture a virtuous cycle economy in which companies and young people grow together.

In the cultural sector, Lee aims to develop Laveniche as Gimpo's premier attraction with regular performances and festivals and to expedite the construction of a cultural and arts center. The long-neglected idle site at Geolpo Bukbyeon Station will be turned into a civic plaza, while the Gimpo Han River Wild Bird Ecology Park will be revived as a relaxation space for citizens through the reopening of the eco-center and environmental improvements.

On welfare, plans include establishing a Medi-Campus at Pungmu Station area in partnership with Inha University, building a 24-hour pediatric medical system, and providing free nine-valent HPV vaccines to all citizens. Other people-oriented welfare policies include increasing childbirth grants, building a second integrated social welfare center, and supporting the operation of public bathhouses.

Lee Gi-hyung, Mayor of Gimpo City, is announcing 97 pledges for five major advancements at the first press briefing of the 9th term on the 10th. Photo by Lee Jong-gu

Mayor Lee underscored, "By 2030, Gimpo will be a city where every citizen is proud to call themselves a resident. I am determined to make Gimpo a city with seamless transportation, vibrant economy, everyday cultural and artistic activities, and abundant tourist attractions—recognized throughout South Korea. At the same time, I will dedicate myself at every moment to ensuring an environment of safe education and attentive care, so that our children can dream of the future in this city."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.