However, Gyeonggi Province has taken a counterintuitive approach by declaring the 'Gyeonggi RE100' vision, the first of its kind in the country, in 2023, aiming to increase the share of renewable energy generation from 5.8% in 2021 to 30% by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. They stated their intention to achieve RE100 in the public, corporate, citizen, and industrial sectors, turning the climate crisis into a growth opportunity for tomorrow. RE100 is a campaign to procure 100% of the electricity needed by companies from renewable energy sources.
Results are already showing. In July 2023, a private consortium of eight companies, including SK E&S, signed an investment agreement worth 4 trillion won, officially launching 'Industrial Complex RE100'. In the last two years (2023-2024), the amount of solar power permits in industrial complexes exceeded the total of the past ten years (2013-2022) by 130%, and the number of industrial complexes eligible for solar investment increased from 50 in April 2023 to 129 in March, a 2.5-fold increase. Gyeonggi Province plans to significantly increase the number of RE100-eligible industrial complexes to 129 by next year. Additionally, they presented the first public institution RE100 roadmap in the country, reflecting it in public institution management evaluations, and established the largest BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) cluster in the country to enhance the competitiveness of the next-generation solar industry. A climate action opportunity income app has been built, allowing 130 citizens to participate in carbon neutrality.
In April of last year, they became the first in the country to enroll all citizens in 'climate insurance'. Fixed compensation is provided without separate application for diseases caused by heatwaves and cold waves, accidents occurring during weather warnings, and other situations. This policy is evaluated as a 'climate welfare' model that goes beyond simple insurance to address inequalities and vulnerabilities caused by climate change.
In the technological area accelerating 'climate economy', progress is also being made. They are developing three ultra-small 'climate satellites' at the metropolitan local government level, with the first one expected to be launched as early as November.
'Climate Fund' is an attempt to revitalize energy transition and local economy simultaneously. Utilizing unused national and public lands in the province, Gyeonggi Province Corporation is installing renewable energy power plants and returning part of the profits to residents.
The 'Opportunity Capital' pledge, which aims for 'more opportunities, more equal opportunities, and better opportunities', has also taken off. Since 2022, the so-called 'Opportunity Series', which provides robust support for welfare blind spots, has been gradually expanded, benefiting about 300,000 people, including artists, people with disabilities, athletes, farmers and fishermen, child care participants, and climate action practitioners.
Governor Kim stated that over the past three years, they have seen "climate action, opportunity income, Gyeonggi RE100, climate insurance, climate satellites, climate funds, animal welfare, and more as new challenges and turned them into opportunities, taking paths not taken by others."
However, some of Governor Kim's 295 pledges have stalled and become blemishes. The establishment of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province, the first pledge, is a prime example. Related bills have been proposed in both the 21st and 22nd National Assembly, but discussions have been sluggish. Particularly, President Lee Jae-myung, who served as the governor of Gyeonggi Province during the 7th elected term, has a negative stance on the division of Gyeonggi Province, creating another challenge of persuading the executive branch.
According to population trends announced by the Statistics Korea in April this year, the number of births in Incheon from January to April was 5,590, a 15.1% increase compared to 4,856 during the same period last year. This is double the national average increase rate (7.7%) for the same period.
The background for Incheon's first-place ranking is attributed to its unique childbirth policies. Incheon has implemented 'Child Plus 100 Million Dream', which supports uninterrupted childcare for all children born in Incheon until the age of 18, 'Child Plus House Dream', which provides housing support to newlyweds at a monthly rent of 30,000 won, 'Transportation Cost Dream', which supports transportation costs for parents of newborns, and 'Care Dream', which provides care and meal support for dual-income families and vulnerable children, all of which are practical policies that help balance work and family life, creating a significant impact.
Along with the increase in population and birth rate, a notable aspect of the 8th elected term in Incheon is economic growth. The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) surpassed 100 trillion won in 2022, and in 2023, it recorded 117 trillion won, the second highest among special and metropolitan cities. The real economic growth rate for 2023 is 4.8%, marking the second consecutive year of first place in the nation, solidifying its status as the second economic city.
Changing the administrative system maintained for 31 years from '2 districts and 8 wards' to '2 districts and 9 wards' in July next year is also an achievement that sets the stage for new development. Jung-gu and Dong-gu will be integrated into Jemulpo-gu, and Yeongjongdo, which is under the jurisdiction of Jung-gu, will be elevated to Yeongjong-gu. Seo-gu, which is experiencing population growth due to new city developments, will start anew as Seo-gu and Geomdan-gu.
The establishment of the Overseas Koreans Agency connecting Korea and the world, the free toll on Yeongjong and Incheon Bridge, the commencement of generalization of Incheon-daero, the confirmation of the establishment of the Incheon High Court (opening in March 2028), half-price support for small businesses, global delivery services, the introduction of unlimited transportation cards (Incheon i-Pass), and designation of a bio-advanced cluster have also received applause.
However, with only one year left in the 8th elected term, the pledge completion rate of only 20% is disappointing. Mayor Yoo's first pledge of the 8th elected term, the Jemulpo Renaissance and Global Top Ten City, which is a catalyst for revitalizing the old city center, is expected to be difficult to complete within the term. Some key issues, such as securing alternative landfill sites in the metropolitan area, remain unresolved, leaving citizens anxious.
[Reporter Ji Hong-gu / Reporter Lee Dae-hyun]
