Changwon's incoming administration unveils blueprint for new mayoral term

The transition committee for Changwon Special City's 9th elected mayor concluded its 21-day official activities Monday, releasing a governing blueprint for mayor-elect Kang Ki-yoon. The committee put forward "Citizens First, Happy Changwon" as the new administrative vision, centering its 86 campaign pledges on reviving the local economy and achieving balanced development across the city's districts.

Transition committee chairman Jo Cheong-rae held a briefing Monday to present the governing direction for the incoming term. The committee, which launched June 9, reviewed major policy issues and campaign pledges through four working subcommittees along with special committees on civic engagement and communication. It also visited 10 key project sites — including the Masan Marine New Town, a liquefied hydrogen plant and the Seokdong water purification facility — to assess progress and discuss improvements.

The committee proposed "citizens-first" governance as its core operating principle. It outlined four policy goals to realize that vision: a dynamic economy with quality jobs; balanced regional development and a unified city; robust welfare and safe daily life; and a city of cultural pride and distinction.

The 86 campaign pledges comprise 44 projects under six growth strategies and 42 district-specific initiatives across the city's five wards. Key pledges include creating 100,000 new jobs, providing an energy welfare pension of 1 million won ($648) per year, making the Machang Bridge toll-free around the clock, eliminating bus fares for all elementary, middle and high school students, and establishing a medical school in Changwon.

District-specific projects were also announced. Uichang District will receive a one-stop support service for apartment reconstruction and redevelopment; Seongsan District, a cultural industrial complex within the Changwon National Industrial Complex; and Masan Happo District, a road project linking National Route 5 from Masan through Geoje to Gadeokdo New Airport. Masan Hoewon District will see an innovation hub built on the site of a relocated Changwon prison, while Jinhae District will host a support-city development project behind Gadeokdo New Airport.

The committee plans to publish a white paper documenting its activities and key recommendations in July. Changwon City will use the committee's proposals as the basis for detailed action plans for each campaign pledge, to be finalized by the end of July and released to the public in September.

"Over the past 21 days, we did our utmost to listen to citizens' voices, visit sites firsthand and sketch out the governing blueprint for the 9th elected term," Jo said. "We ask for your continued attention and support as the new administration begins its journey."