I was sitting in the auditorium that day at the 2025 World Journalists Conference, listening to Mr. Lee Kang Deok, Mayor of Pohang City (Republic of Korea), talk about the ten-year transformation of a heavy industry city into a pioneering ecological urban center.
There were no grand slogans in the presentation, no flashy efforts to “inspire”. But in the clarity, sincerity, and decisiveness of every choice made, I realized this was not just a planning blueprint – it was the story of a leader who truly lives for the city he serves.
Journalist Nhat Hoa with Pohang Mayor Lee Kang Deok, Korean Press Association President Park Jong Hyun, and colleagues
Pohang – The Steel City and the Pressure to Transform
Pohang was once South Korea’s leading industrial steel hub, closely tied to the meteoric rise of POSCO. But alongside that pride came environmental consequences: air pollution, rising urban temperatures, overcrowding, and a lack of quality living space.
As the steel industry faced challenges, especially after the U.S. . imposed a 25% tariff on imported steel, Mayor Lee expressed clear concern about the city's economic future. But rather than shrink back in worry, he chose to proactively reshape Pohang's development model toward a greener, more compact, and sustainable urban future.
GreenWay Vision 2030 – Three Green Strategies for a New Urban Landscape
1. Green Connector Network
Developing walking trails, green belts, and open spaces so that residents can enjoy nature within a five-minute walk. Pohang aims to become a “15-minute city” – where all life necessities are within easy reach.
2. Compact Living – Closer Together, Higher Quality of Life
Revitalizing old downtown into dynamic living spaces that foster community connections. The city is developing campus towns, co-working offices, dormitories, and creative spaces to retain young people and skilled workers.
3. Enhanced Climate Resilience
Pohang's urban forests and green spaces are not just for aesthetics; they absorb CO₂, reduce heat, store rainwater, prevent flooding, and serve as ecological buffers.
Tangible Results
After ten years, Pohang has:
- Planted over 21.5 million trees
- Added over 767,000 m² of green space – the equivalent of 107 football fields
- Built five new urban forests
- Attracted more than 190 public and commercial facilities along the GreenWay routes
- Generated KRW 4.34 trillion in annual local revenue , 10 times the initial investment
GreenLoop – A Circular Connection for the Future
The city is now moving into its second phase with the GreenLoop project – a closed ecological loop connecting nature, residential areas, and socio-cultural hubs. Pohang plans to add over 4 million square meters of green space and build the One Million Pyeong Park as its new ecological icon.
From One City to a Global Message
The GreenWay project was presented at COP29 (Azerbaijan, 2024) and will be a key focus at the Global Green Growth Forum 2025, hosted in Pohang. The city is also building the POEX International Convention Center, aiming to become a global meeting place for sustainable urban development.
Transformation Begins with Someone Willing to Live for the City
I believe that in an ever-changing world, true leaders are those who are willing to slow down just long enough to plant a tree - so that others may one day sit in its shade - those are the people who truly shape the future.
To build a livable city,
we must first have people who dare to live for it.
And a city can indeed be transformed,
If its leader believes enough - and holds on long enough to see it through.
Seoul, 31/3/2025
