Since Mayor Lee Hyun-jae took office in 2022, Hanam has transformed into a
more livable city under his ‘Citizen-Centered Administrative Services’ initiative,
which has significantly enhanced the city’s governance.
By implementing policies such as the Mayor’s On-Site Office, Open-Door Mayor’s
Office and One-Stop Citizen Service Counter, Hanam City, has fostered a more
citizen-centric administrative environment. These initiatives led Hanam to rank first in the National Civil Service Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, earning the ‘Best Institution’ designation for the third consecutive year.
Hanam City in Korea currently has about 350000 population. Mayor Lee Hyun-jae has big plans to make his city the global center of K-Culture, generating $1.7 billion in revenue for the city.
The K-Star World Project is a flagship initiative. This initiative aims to unlock
Hanam’s full growth potential while creating sustainable economic opportunities to support the city’s prosperity for the next 100 years.
The K-Star World Project seeks to develop a 1.7 million-square-meter site on Misa
Island. Misa-dong is a cultural hub with K-pop concert venues, film
production studios, and other facilities.
The initiative is expected to create around 30,000 jobs and generate an estimated $1.7 billion in economic benefits. Mayor Lee emphasizes that the global rise of K-Culture highlights the significant potential for the success of the K-Star World Project.
According to the Korea Foundation’s 2024 report, the global fan base of the
Korean Wave, including K-pop and K-dramas, has grown to approximately 225
million. Additionally, a 2023 study by the Korea Foundation for International
Culture Exchange (KOFICE) estimated that the Korean Wave generated $14.165
billion in export revenue, underscoring its potential as a key driver of South
Korea’s economic growth.
