Jinju City Finalizes 113 Pledged Projects for 9th-term Administration… Total Project Budget Reaches 2.672 Trillion Won

Five Main Goals and 20 Promises to Citizens Presented


100 Projects Aimed for Completion Within the Term


City Funds Projected at 1.0216 Trillion Won


Sectoral Initiatives in Aerospace, Culture, Education, and Transportation

Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province has finalized 113 pledged projects that will serve as the standard for administration in the 9th-term elected municipal government. The total project budget amounts to 2.672 trillion won, of which the city's own funds are expected to exceed 1 trillion won. Consequently, securing national and provincial government funds, raising additional resources, and carrying out the required administrative procedures for large-scale projects are anticipated to become crucial challenges in fulfilling these pledges.

On September 14, Joo Kyu-il, Mayor of Jinju City, held a press conference in the city hall’s briefing room to announce that the city has finalized the 9th-term pledges, comprising five main goals, 20 ‘Promises to Citizens,’ and 113 detailed projects.

The city has established its 9th-term vision as ‘Prosperous Jinju, Happy Citizens,’ and has prepared an implementation plan for the pledges by linking major projects pursued in the 7th and 8th terms and incorporating new initiatives.

[Photo by Choi Soonkyung] On the 14th, Joo Kyuil, mayor of Jinju City, held a press conference in the city hall briefing room to announce the 5 major goals, 20 "Promises with Citizens," and 113 detailed projects as campaign pledges for the 9th term of elected government.

◆ Aim to complete 100 out of 113 projects within the term

Out of the total 113 pledges, Jinju City plans to complete 100 of them within the 9th-term period and continue promoting the remaining 13 projects after the current term ends.

The total cost required for implementing these pledges is estimated at 2.672 trillion won. Of this, the city’s self-funded portion is projected to be 1.0216 trillion won.

Because the remainder must be covered by national and provincial government funds and private capital, the level of financial support from the central government and South Gyeongsang Province, selection for competitive government projects, and attracting private investment are all expected to affect the pace and scope of some pledges.

By goal, the breakdown of pledged projects is as follows: 20 for open and communicative governance, 20 for a vibrant economic city with abundant jobs, 23 for a culturally rich city centered on the Nam River, 21 for an educational city where children are happy, and 29 for a prosperous city where all citizens thrive.

◆ Growth engines include the aerospace industry and relocation of public institutions

In the economy and industry sector, major projects include establishing an aerospace industry ecosystem and designating a specialized cluster for aerospace materials, parts, and equipment.

The pledges also contain plans to attract public institutions amid the second wave of relocating government agencies from the Seoul metropolitan area, as well as opposition to splitting up and relocating the Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH) and promises to keep its headquarters in Jinju.

However, the second-phase relocation of public institutions, LH organizational restructuring, and the designation of specialized clusters are not initiatives Jinju City can determine unilaterally. Since they require government policies and consultation with relevant agencies, future policy directions of the central government are expected to be key variables in moving these projects forward.

In terms of civic welfare, the city will seek to build an integrated veterans center and expand complex sports and leisure facilities for citizens.

◆ Promoting cultural projects such as Nam River waterfront center, Jinyang Lake, and the National Garden

In the culture and tourism sector, the city plans to construct a multipurpose cultural center along the Nam River, carry out the Jinyang Lake Renaissance project, and seek designation for the ‘Wolasan Forest Jinju’ as a National Garden.

Other 9th-term pledges include hosting an international garden arts expo and attracting the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art branch to Jinju.

As projects like National Garden designation and attracting the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art require government review and coordination with relevant agencies, the actual designation, selection, and detailed timelines will be determined through future procedures.

◆ Pledges include libraries, a specialized science center, and youth housing support

The education and youth sector includes establishing the Eastern City Public Library, a complex cultural library in the Innovation City, and a public science museum specializing in aerospace technology.

The city also plans initiatives to ease the housing cost burden for young people, such as building dormitories for college students and increasing monthly rent support for youth.

Jinju City will enhance educational and cultural infrastructure and coordinate youth support initiatives to improve settlement conditions for young people in the region.

◆ Regional development including KTX, terminal, and downtown urban regeneration

Key pledges in transportation and urban development include the early opening of the West Gyeongnam KTX line, development of a passenger bus terminal, and urban regeneration projects to revitalize the old downtown area.

In particular, the opening schedule of the West Gyeongnam KTX line is linked to the timetable of national railway policies, so Jinju City plans to propose early completion through consultation with related institutions.

Environmental projects include expanding infrastructure for municipal waste management and promoting the supply of electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as renewable energy dissemination.

◆ Mayor Joo Kyu-il: "Advancing 9th-term pledges based on 7th and 8th-term results"

At the press conference, Mayor Joo explained that the 9th-term pledges are practical missions established based on citizen feedback gathered during the election process.

He stated, "Building upon the groundwork laid in the 7th and 8th terms, we will make this term a time to realize Jinju’s next 100 years," as he presented “Prosperous Jinju Season 3” and the so-called “Third Miracle” as 9th-term policy goals.

Jinju City plans to release the confirmed pledge projects and details on the city website and will form a Pledge Implementation Assessment Committee to monitor progress. The city will gather citizen feedback during the assessment process and publicly disclose the implementation status of each project.

Since the city has set a target to complete approximately 88.5%, or 100 out of 113 pledges, within the term, it will be important to check the actual initiation and completion status of projects, the budget execution rate, and the implementation progress of each pledge rather than simply counting the number of projects going forward.

Notably, as 1.0216 trillion won out of the total budget of 2.672 trillion won must come from the city's own funds, and with several projects dependent on central government policy decisions or securing national and provincial funding, managing Jinju City's fiscal burden and obtaining outside resources are expected to be key variables in fulfilling the 9th-term pledges.

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