“Bring the Horse Racing Park to Icheon!” ... Icheon City Launches All-Out Public-Private Drive Across 14 Townships, Myeons and Dongs

Icheon City’s 14 Village and Neighborhood Heads Formally Declare Support
20 Majang-myeon Residents Join Horse-Themed Keychain Activity to Promote Bid
City Seeks New Growth Engine as a Multifunctional Equine Industry and Leisure Hub

Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Seong Su-seok), is bringing together the full strength of the local community to attract a Korea Racing Authority horse racing park. From village and neighborhood heads, who are on the front lines of local administration, to residents’ councils in townships and myeons, local groups are stepping up efforts to build support, giving fresh momentum to the project.

Members of the Icheon City Federation of Ri and Tong Heads from 14 towns, townships and neighborhoods held placards reading “Bring the racetrack to Icheon!” on the 11th, urging the Korea Racing Authority to bring its racetrack to Icheon. Provided by Icheon City.

According to Icheon City on November 13, the association of village and neighborhood heads from the city’s 14 townships, myeons and dongs issued an official statement of support on November 11, calling for the horse racing park to be built in Icheon. Members held signs bearing the message “Bring the horse racing park to Icheon!” and chanted slogans, publicly declaring their commitment to bringing the project to the city.

The involvement of village and neighborhood heads, who serve as a bridge between residents and the administration, is also expected to speed up efforts to build local support. The association has pledged to take the lead in informing residents in each village about the case for bringing the horse racing park to Icheon and its potential economic impact on the region.

Jo Juntaek, head of the Icheon City Association of Village and Neighborhood Heads, said, “It is meaningful to join forces with the heads of councils in all 14 townships, myeons and dongs to support a long-cherished local project. We will work closely with residents and do our utmost to ensure that bringing the horse racing park to Icheon leads to a new leap forward for the city.”

Public outreach activities closely connected to everyday life are also underway.

The Majang-myeon Residents’ Council in Icheon (Chairman Kim Jinseop) recently held a free “Make a Horse-Themed Keychain” program for 20 residents. The aim was to lower the psychological barrier to engaging with a serious local issue through a hands-on craft activity featuring horses. Alongside the keychain-making, the event included a campaign promoting the horse racing park and a signature drive, encouraging residents to take part voluntarily.

Residents who took part in a “Make a Horse-Shaped Keyring” activity at the Lifelong Learning Center in Majang-myeon, Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 12th hold up their handmade keyrings to show support for bringing a racecourse to Icheon. Photo provided by Icheon City.

Hwang Indong, head of Majang-myeon, said, “We hope this friendly cultural activity will spark residents’ interest in bringing the horse racing park to Icheon and broaden consensus around considering the region’s future vision together.”

Icheon City has drawn up a plan to develop the horse racing park, if successfully secured, into a “multifunctional equine industry and leisure hub” combining horseback riding, horse training, hands-on experiences and tourism, rather than simply a gambling-oriented spectator facility. The city aims to maximize synergies with existing local industries and tourism infrastructure, create quality jobs, attract new residents and revitalize the local economy, thereby securing a new engine for future growth.

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