Kim begins fourth term as Uiwang mayor under ninth directly elected administration
Kim Seong-je was inaugurated Wednesday as Uiwang mayor under the ninth directly elected municipal administration, beginning his fourth term leading the city south of Seoul. Having previously served during the fifth, sixth and eighth administrations, Kim was sworn in as the city's 12th mayor.
In his inaugural address, Kim pledged to press ahead with his vision of transforming Uiwang into the country's premier city. "I have run without rest to raise the city's competitiveness and improve residents' quality of life under the banner of making Uiwang the finest city in the nation," he said. "By 2030, I will make Uiwang the best place to live in the entire country — that great goal, I will achieve together with the citizens."
The following is the full text of his inaugural address.
Respected citizens of Uiwang — all 160,000 of you — and distinguished guests:
I am Kim Seong-je, inaugurated today as Uiwang mayor under the ninth directly elected municipal administration.
First, I offer my sincere gratitude to the citizens who have once again entrusted Uiwang's future to me with their unwavering trust and support.
As mayor for every citizen, I will do my utmost to repay that support by working solely for a greater future for Uiwang and for the happiness of all residents. As I begin this ninth administration, I would like to look back on the past and share my vision for the road ahead.
Through the fifth, sixth and eighth administrations, I have run without rest to raise the city's competitiveness and improve residents' quality of life under the banner of making Uiwang the finest city in the nation.
I successfully advanced large-scale urban development projects and double-track railway lines that citizens had long sought, and achieved new innovation and change across the city — in education, welfare, culture and the arts, public safety, and employment.
The ground-breaking of the Indukwon–Dongtan and Wolgot–Pangyo double-track railway lines brought great joy to residents who had long hoped for subway access.
The Uiwang Culture and Arts Center — a project residents had sought for more than 20 years — is set to open this year. In April, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for Uiwang General Hospital, marking a turning point in improving local healthcare.
More than 400 companies were attracted to the Chopyeong District Smart City Quantum development, and the city secured 360 billion won ($232 million) in investment for the Cheongye 2 District, laying the groundwork for Uiwang to grow into a self-sufficient city.
The city also opened integrated middle and high schools in Naeson-dong and integrated elementary and middle schools near Baegunghosu Lake, expanding educational infrastructure, and established a branch of the Global Human Resources Center in Bugok-dong to provide balanced educational opportunities across the city.
A smart health management program for adolescents was launched, and a career counseling center and a mathematics clinic center were established, advancing an education policy unique to Uiwang.
The Ojeon Community Center has established itself as a family-oriented multipurpose cultural space, while construction of the Bugok Community Center is proceeding smoothly toward an opening this year.
Twenty-two barefoot walking trails — including red-clay paths — were created for residents' health and leisure, and Baegunghosu Lake Park was opened as a new landmark destination in the greater Seoul area.
A dedicated bathhouse for senior citizens was opened, and free bus rides for the elderly along with welfare card support for those aged 80 and above are helping seniors enjoy a healthy retirement.
Healing rest facilities and short-term residential facilities for people with disabilities were expanded to ease the caregiving burden on families, and cultural and leisure opportunities for people with disabilities have been continuously broadened.
As a result, the city achieved an SA rating — the highest grade — for five consecutive years in the campaign pledge fulfillment assessment conducted by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters, demonstrating top-level administrative excellence nationwide.
The city was also recognized as the safest in the nation, receiving the top rating for three consecutive years in the Regional Safety Index published by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.
In addition, the city was selected as the top institution for two consecutive years in the comprehensive civil service evaluation. At the 2025 Senior Citizens' Day ceremony, it was the only local government to receive the Prime Minister's Award in the elderly welfare category.
All of these achievements were made possible by the active participation and support of our citizens and the dedication of Uiwang city officials. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of them.
Respected citizens, Uiwang now stands at yet another turning point.
If the fifth and sixth administrations were the time to design Uiwang's future, the eighth administration was the time to turn that vision into reality, one step at a time.
Now, in the ninth administration, it is time to bring that work to completion. I will outline the seven core strategies of the ninth administration for completing Uiwang as a premier city.
First, I will bring large-scale urban development projects to a successful conclusion. I will actively support the Gocheon and Chopyeong districts, which are in their final stages, as well as the Woram and Cheongye 2 districts, where full-scale construction is now under way.
The Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan third-generation new town, which will drive major transformation in Uiwang, and the Ojeon and Wanggok districts will also be advanced with urgency.
I will spare no administrative support to ensure that 10 redevelopment and reconstruction projects renewing the old city center proceed swiftly.
The relocation of the Naeson-dong reserve forces training ground, development of the site vacated by Korea Electric Power Corp., and a mixed-use development project in the Ojeon transit-oriented area will be pursued successfully to expand resident amenities and drive urban transformation.
Second, I will build the foundation for an advanced self-sufficient city through business attraction and job creation. New industrial complexes will be established in Poil-dong and Bugok-dong, and advanced companies in AI, medical technology and biotech will be actively recruited to grow Uiwang into a hub for future industries.
An industry promotion agency and a vocational education and training center will be operated to realize an economic hub city where businesses thrive and young people find employment.
In addition, 30,000 new jobs will be created and commercial districts around redevelopment and reconstruction sites will be revitalized to energize the local economy.
Third, I will raise the city's value further by building a systematic metropolitan transportation network. I will actively support the timely opening of the Indukwon–Dongtan line, the Wolgot–Pangyo line, and the GTX-C line stop at Uiwang Station, all of which are currently being pursued.
I will also make every effort to have the extension of the Wirye–Gwacheon line to Uiwang reflected in the Fifth National Railway Network Construction Plan, which is an urgent priority for the city.
The Sinbundang Line extension to Uiwang and the establishment of Woram Station and Wanggok Station will be pursued without delay to build a rail network covering the entire city.
A rail deck development project at Uiwang Station linked to the third-generation new town development, and the construction of a transfer center at Uiwang Station, will also be actively advanced to grow the station into a key transportation hub in the greater Seoul area.
Road expansion along Baegungno and the Hagui Stream, and the construction of connecting roads between Hagui-ro and Anyang-Pangyo-ro, between the Cheongye interchange and the Suwon direction, and between Ojeon and Cheongye, will be pursued swiftly to proactively address increased traffic demand from urban development.
A public transfer parking lot at Ojeon Station will be actively pursued, and bus route expansion, additional community bus services, and smart bus stops will be extended to build a convenient and safe transportation environment.
Fourth, I will create a city of hope for future generations by fostering a high-quality education environment and excellent childcare conditions. A Uiwang Future Education Center and a Creative Talent Center will be built to establish future-education hubs that lead the AI era.
Education programs unique to our city — including the Global Human Resources Center, the mathematics clinic center, and the career counseling center — will continue to be operated to strengthen educational competitiveness.
As a measure against the low birth rate, childbirth incentive payments will be expanded, shared childcare centers and public nurseries will be increased, and school enrollment congratulatory grants for elementary, middle and high school students will be provided to make Uiwang a city where it is good to raise children.
Fifth, I will build a vibrant city where young people dream and put down roots. "Unicorn Road," a startup and community space for youth, and the Uiwang Youth Power Station will be activated, and youth growth programs will be vigorously operated to provide full support for young people's employment and entrepreneurship.
Support for hagwon tuition and other job-seeking expenses will be provided to unemployed young people, and monthly rent support and asset-building accounts will be offered to low-income youth.
Policies including interest support on housing lease deposit loans for newlyweds will also be pursued to realize a young city where young people want to stay and settle rather than leave.
Sixth, I will build a dignified city by creating a cultural, sports and welfare city where citizens are happy. The Uiwang Culture and Arts Center, opening later this year, will be activated; preparations for relocating the Uiwang Cultural Center will proceed; and a full remodeling of the Railway Museum will be actively supported to elevate Uiwang as a city of culture and the arts.
A park golf course and the Gocheon Community Center will be built, and sports centers in Naeson-dong and Ojeon-dong, along with sports parks in Ojeon and Cheongye, will be developed in tandem with large-scale urban development to support residents' healthy lifestyles.
Baegunghosu Lake will be developed into a leading tourism destination in the greater Seoul area, combining a musical fountain with cultural performances, and a moonlit night-view bridge will be installed at Wangsong Lake to create new brand value.
A children's water play area and a landscape fountain will be installed in the Gocheon-dong Cultural Park, and eco-friendly spaces for relaxation and leisure in the heart of the city will be expanded through the creation of a walking trail along the Anyang Stream and a dog park.
Jobs for senior citizens and people with disabilities will also be expanded, and welfare infrastructure will be continuously built up through the construction of a veterans' hall, the Bugok Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, and expanded accessibility facilities for people with disabilities.
Seventh, I will make a healthy and safe urban environment the top priority for citizens. Construction of Uiwang General Hospital — equipped with 250 beds, 19 medical departments, and an emergency medical center — will be swiftly advanced to dramatically improve residents' access to healthcare.
Public health sub-centers will be established in Naeson-dong and Bugok-dong, and a 24-hour children's hospital will be designated and operated.
Tailored health and public health programs will be pursued, including expanded free vaccinations for vulnerable groups, medical voucher support for veterans' families, and a traditional medicine doctor-in-charge system at senior centers.
Emergency first-aid and CPR training will also be expanded to cover all citizens, strengthening the overall public healthcare system to protect residents' lives.
The aging Bugok overpass will be rebuilt, and CCTV cameras and smart security lights will be installed in vulnerable areas such as alleyways and school commuting routes to continuously expand safety infrastructure.
Finally, regarding the planned relocation and construction of the Anyang Correctional Institution in Uiwang, I will respond responsibly to the end to protect the right to education of students at nearby schools and the right of local residents to a stable living environment.
Respected citizens, the next four years are a critically important period for elevating Uiwang's standing to the next level.
Building on more than a decade of sustained achievement, the ninth administration will complete a greater future for Uiwang.
I will bring the railway network expansion and urban development projects to a successful conclusion, and develop diverse fields that improve residents' quality of life — education, welfare, culture and the arts, and community sports — in a balanced way to make Uiwang a city where every citizen is happy.
By 2030, Uiwang will be the best place to live in the entire country. That great goal, I will achieve together with you, the citizens.
I ask for your continued interest and support as Uiwang moves forward on its journey toward a new leap and a new future.
Thank you.
July 1, 2026
Mayor of Uiwang, Kim Seong-je
pjh@heraldcorp.com
