Mayor Jung Gi-Myoung of Yeosu City: "I Promise a Greater Future, a Better Yeosu"

- "It is thanks to our citizens that the 8th Civil Election has come this far; I will fulfill my duties to the very end."
- Vows to "do everything in my power" for the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition.

At his third-anniversary press conference on the 30th, Mayor Jung Gi-Myoung of Yeosu City pledged, "I will once again take to heart the excitement and sense of responsibility I felt when first entering City Hall and will fulfill my given duties to the very end."

At the '3rd Anniversary Press Conference for the 8th Civil Election' held this morning at the City Hall conference room, with approximately 50 attendees, including journalists and city officials, Mayor Jung emphasized, 'I have been able to come this far thanks to the unwavering love and support of our citizens.'

Mayor Jung began, "Over the past three years, rather than launching new projects amid a prolonged economic downturn and a low budget base, we have prioritized public welfare for the betterment of our citizens' lives and focused on urgent issues."

He explained, "We have promoted people-centric projects such as the Dolsan Living SOC Complex, Ungcheon National Sports Center, Saenggak Kium Experiential Playground, companion dog play facilities, and the creation of red clay paths," adding, "We have also worked to improve residential conditions by opening the Seonso Bridge and Expo Overpass, building additional public parking lots, and developing the Soje District for housing."

To revitalize the local economy, he noted that the city "promoted early budget execution, operated a permanent public welfare task force, and offered a 15% special discount on the card-type Yeosu Sarang Gift Certificate." He also emphasized that investment attraction in hydrogen and offshore wind power "has surpassed KRW 7 trillion and is heading toward the KRW 8 trillion era."

He cited several significant achievements from the past three years, including 'resolving the construction of the main City Hall annex after 26 years,' the nation's first 'official designation of the Yeosu Industrial Complex as a Proactive Industrial Crisis Response Zone,' 'laying the foundation for the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition,' and the 'Yeosu Bay Renaissance Mid-to-Long-Term Comprehensive Development Plan.'

Indeed, with his unique friendliness and humility, Mayor Jung resolved the 'main City Hall annex construction issue' through cooperative governance and mutual respect with local political circles. For the struggling Yeosu Industrial Complex, he led all-out support efforts, including establishing a comprehensive crisis response plan, forming a TF, and requesting government support, which resulted in the official designation as a 'Proactive Industrial Crisis Response Zone' from the government.

In particular, seizing the opportunity presented by the Island Exhibition, he secured significant government funding for projects like the K-Tourism Island initiative and the Comprehensive Island Development Plan. This led to a drastic improvement in island residential conditions, including the 'confirmation of the Nam-myeon Geumo Island Marine Bridge construction project.' The exhibition budget was also increased from KRW 24.8 billion to KRW 67.6 billion.

Furthermore, he has been promoting the Yeosu Bay Renaissance, a key pledge of the 8th Civil Election. This involves accelerating the implementation of 23 strategic projects and 58 tasks, including the 'fostering of a National Marine Ecological Park and a Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City,' based on preservation and development plans tailored to the unique characteristics of Yeosu's five bays.

Mayor Jung also addressed the tourism sector, explaining, "For the long term, we are pursuing the ‘2035 Yeosu City Tourism Comprehensive Development Plan' to reach 20 million tourists annually." He added, "Projects such as the 'Night Tourism Specialized City development project,' the 'Island-Connect Trail project,' the 'designation of the World Expo site as an International Conference Complex and construction of an International Exhibition and Convention Center,' and the 'development of content related to the Eleven Bridges and the undersea tunnel' are underway."

Regarding the bid with the South-Central region to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP33), he showed strong determination, stating, "Holding a greenhouse gas reduction conference in Yeosu, home to the world's largest petrochemical complex, is itself highly symbolic. It will be a declaration to the world of the Republic of Korea's will to lead on climate change issues."

He also mentioned other initiatives, such as the 'promotion of future-oriented AI smart farms' for the aging rural and fishing communities, the 'establishment of a Culture Foundation' to expand and utilize limited cultural and arts infrastructure, and history preservation and correction projects like the 'completion of the Jinnamgwan Hall restoration' and the 'opening of the Yeosun 10·19 Incident Memorial Hall and promotion of the special act.'

Meanwhile, regarding the recent lapse in discipline within the public service, he bowed his head in shame. He apologized, saying, "As the person responsible for managing the city administration, regardless of the reason, I am truly sorry and apologetic for causing concern to the citizens."

He then promised, "From now on, I will personally oversee and strengthen the education and supervision of our employees to ensure that no suspicions or unfortunate incidents occur in the performance of public duties."