Uiwang Mayor Kim Sung-je Wins Grand Prize at '2024 WFPL 8 Local Government Innovation Evaluation'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Chung-young] Uiwang Mayor Kim Sung-je was honored to receive the grand prize at the '2024 WFPL 8 Local Government Innovation Evaluation Awards Ceremony' held on the 21st at the Conference Hall of the National Assembly Members' Building.

The 2024 WFPL 8 Local Government Innovation Evaluation, co-hosted by the 'Local Government Innovation Evaluation Committee (GEC),' a specialized organization under the World Federation of Young Leaders (WFPL), and the World Press Association (WPA), presents awards to those who have dedicated themselves to paradigm shifts in local self-government through strengthening local government competitiveness, consideration for socially disadvantaged groups, and building healthy educational environments.

Mayor Kim's award was achieved by receiving the highest score in the 2024 local government innovation evaluation conducted from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023, according to the WF Local Government Innovation Index (WFLGII).

Mayor Kim, who served as Uiwang Mayor during the fifth and sixth elected terms and the eighth elected term, made utmost efforts in building a premium city of Uiwang. In particular, he successfully promoted major urban development projects such as the Baekunn Valley and Jangan districts, and made substantial efforts in strengthening self-sufficient functions through industrial complex development.

He was also recognized for his contributions in establishing Uiwang as an innovative city by discovering tourism resources such as Uiwang Rail Bike, Uiwang Sky Rail, and Bara Mountain Natural Recreation Forest, laying the foundation for an educational city at the nation's highest level, and discovering and implementing welfare policies closely related to citizens' daily lives.

Recently, he actively supported projects including Hocheon Happiness Town, Chopyeong Newlywed Town, Wolam District, and Cheonggyesan District 2, creating a pleasant urban environment. He is also focusing efforts on the prompt construction of metropolitan railway networks including the Indong Line, Wolpan Line, and GTX-C Line.

Additionally, since the eighth elected term, he has made considerable efforts in education and welfare closely related to citizens' lives, implementing new policies such as the 'Free Bus Ride Support Project for the Elderly,' the 'Career and Academic Counseling Center' to resolve students' academic and career concerns, and 'Postpartum Care Costs and Postpartum Care Worker Support' for expecting families, receiving high praise for greatly contributing to improving citizens' quality of life.

Mayor Kim Sung-je of Uiwang said, "I am very pleased to have our efforts to enhance Uiwang City's urban competitiveness recognized through this local government innovation evaluation," and added, "I will continue to do my best to create a premium city of Uiwang with the best quality of life in the nation through proactive and innovative administration."