Suwon is aiming for a noticeable upgrade in daily life for its residents, with plans ranging from expanded childcare support to a potential multi-billion dollar fund tied to a possible airport relocation. Mayor Lee Jae-jun outlined a vision focused on tangible improvements, rather than sweeping rhetoric, during a recent briefing.
Citizen-Centric Governance
Table of Contents
Mayor Lee’s governance has prioritized citizen engagement,a strategy demonstrably impacting policy. The “Saebit Meeting” series-held across all 44 districts over 88 days-generated 68 suggestions, and addressed 88% of them, either by implementing changes or putting them into development. “I sat down openly with the citizens without deciding on the topic or format of the questions,” Mayor Lee explained.
That commitment to citizen input extends to the ‘Saebit Talk Talk’ platform, which boasts 180,000 members and has seen roughly 80 suggestions adopted as official policy. The city’s Saebit Civil Complaints Office has even become a model for other organizations, with 77 entities-including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-benchmarking its processes.
Policy in Action: From Homes to Healthcare
Several key initiatives are already underway. The ‘Saebit House’ program,focused on improving older homes,has identified 2,099 households for support. A city analysis found that 89% of residents who received energy efficiency upgrades felt safer during extreme weather events like heat waves, heavy rain, and cold snaps. Financially, the Suwon Corporate Saebit Fund has already invested 31.5 billion won in 19 companies, with a second fund of 445.5 billion won in the works, bringing the total investment to 760 billion won.
A recent citizen perception survey reflects positive sentiment, with 75% of respondents believing the city is “doing a good job” and 78% anticipating improvements in their quality of life.
The ‘Saebit Living Cost Package’
This year’s key policy initiative, the ‘Suwon Saebit Living Cost Package,’ aims to provide broad support. The package includes childbirth subsidies, worldwide sanitary product access for women and adolescents, rental assistance for young adults, free public transportation for students, seniors, and people with disabilities, and shingles vaccinations for those over 65. Mayor Lee emphasized that the package was designed to benefit all demographics, funded through debt repayment savings and new tax revenue sources totaling approximately 35 billion won.
Economic Growth and the Free economic Zone
Suwon is also focused on attracting research and development investment, notably within the Suwon Free Economic Zone. “Suwon Free Economic Zone is focused on research, not manufacturing,” Mayor Lee stated, envisioning the city as a “brain city” integrating AI, semiconductor, and bio research. Construction of the Suwon R&D Science Park is slated to begin in March 2026,with completion expected in 2029,while Tapdong Innovation Valley will break ground in February 2026 and finish in 2028.
The city is actively courting leading companies to establish R&D facilities, similar to LG Science Park in Seoul. While specific names remain confidential, Mayor Lee confirmed that discussions are underway and that Suwon is preparing “a customized investment package that bundles land, research ecosystem, and administrative support.”
Suwon Airport Relocation: A National Issue
The contentious issue of Suwon County airport’s relocation is being framed as a matter of national strategy,not simply a local complaint. Mayor Lee asserted that Suwon’s development profits mean it doesn’t require government funding for the move. He proposed a “win-win” fund of at least 3 trillion won, perhaps reaching 5 trillion won, to support the relocation area, even after accounting for the airport’s move. He also noted a clearer commitment from the central government following a meeting with the Minister of National Defense.
Concluding the briefing, Mayor Lee highlighted the theme of ‘traffic and correction’-a vibrant city bustling with activity and effective governance-as the guiding principle for the year. “I will change the face of Suwon through changes felt by citizens,” he said, pledging a steady, deliberate approach to progress.
