Pocheon Mayor Baek Young-hyun vows to devote all efforts to building 'Pride Pocheon'

Pocheon Mayor Baek Young-hyun was inaugurated Wednesday for a second term, beginning his tenure under the ninth round of local elections.

At the ceremony, Baek said the previous four years of his first term had been a time to confirm Pocheon's potential and lay the groundwork for future growth, and that the next four years would turn the future residents had dreamed of into reality in their daily lives.

He said he would responsibly carry out each of his campaign pledges, centered on five core priorities, to drive new change in Pocheon.

The following is the full text of his inaugural address.

Dear citizens of Pocheon, whom I love and respect,

And our proud public servants!

Today, Wednesday, I stand at a new starting line as the mayor of Pocheon for the ninth term of local government, holding deep in my heart the choice and trust you, the citizens, have placed in me.

I sincerely thank you again for believing in Pocheon's future and entrusting it to me, and I make a firm promise to deliver results — not words — in return for the support you have shown.

Looking back, the past four years of my first term were a time to confirm Pocheon's potential and build the foundation for future growth.

It was thanks to you, the citizens who stood with me throughout, that we were able to achieve meaningful results one by one — including Pocheon's selection as a pilot area for an education development special zone, the establishment of the Gyeonggi Defense Venture Center, and the revitalization of tourism along the Hantangang River. Building on these achievements, Pocheon has now reached a point where it must leap even higher.

The next four years will go beyond the time we spent proving our potential and will be a time to turn the future we have dreamed of into reality in your daily lives.

Standing now at what I believe is a more critical inflection point in history than ever before, I intend to seize this opportunity and, together with you, build an even greater future for Pocheon.

To that end, I will drive new change in Pocheon centered on the five core priorities I pledged to you.

First, I will create a garden city woven into everyday life — a place where rest and ease permeate citizens' daily routines.

A city's competitiveness ultimately begins with the happiness of its citizens. I will create green gardens throughout residential areas and transform neglected vacant spaces and empty houses into rest areas and green spaces. I will build a dignified urban environment where residents can enjoy nature, culture and relaxation as part of their everyday lives.

Second, I will build a K-AI advanced defense industry innovation cluster to redraw Pocheon's economic map.

I will actively leverage the military facilities that have long constrained the region's development, turning them into assets that drive future growth. I will build a defense industry ecosystem grounded in AI and advanced technology, create quality jobs, and push forward boldly toward making Pocheon a future industrial city that attracts young people and businesses.

Third, I will strengthen Pocheon's future competitiveness on two pillars: the education development special zone and the peace economy special zone.

I will pursue education innovation with greater substance so that Pocheon's children can nurture their dreams and grow within the region. I will also designate a peace economy special zone and develop a tourism, culture and economic belt centered on the Hantangang River to bring new vitality to the local economy.

Fourth, I will build a sustainable smart agricultural and livestock industry base.

Agriculture and livestock farming are Pocheon's roots and a precious asset. I will establish smart livestock complexes incorporating advanced technology to strengthen the competitiveness of farming households and address environmental challenges, and build an eco-friendly resource circulation system to create a future-oriented model in which farming and the local community grow together.

Fifth, I will accelerate the expansion of the regional transportation network.

When transportation flows, people gather and the economy comes alive. I will work harder to expand regional transportation infrastructure — including securing the GTX-G line, extending the Pocheon–Cheorwon expressway, and establishing a new Songwoo interchange — to improve residents' mobility and strengthen the foundation for business activity.

Respected citizens,

And public servants.

The essence of governance lies not in grand slogans, but in bringing real change to citizens' lives.

I will treat my promises to citizens as the most important standard in running this city, and will responsibly carry out each campaign pledge. I will listen closely to citizens' voices, be the first to visit the scene, and respond with change and results that residents can feel. I will also look after people's livelihoods first and foremost, provide the strongest possible support, and deliver a reliable administration that protects the lives of all citizens.

Above all, I will not lose sight of my original resolve.

I will keep in my heart the heavy sense of responsibility I carried when I sought re-election as Pocheon's mayor, and the promises I made before the citizens, and I will be a mayor who shows through action rather than words.

I will devote all of my capabilities to building "Pride Pocheon" — a city where young people pursue their dreams, businesses grow, and every citizen feels happiness and pride, a city where everyone is proud to call themselves a Pocheon resident.

I ask for your continued interest and support as the newly launched ninth-term Pocheon city government begins its journey, and I sincerely wish health and happiness upon every household of our citizens.

Thank you very much.