▲Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin, delivers remarks at the 2nd Park Reading Party held April 17 at the Reading Plaza in Sinjeong Park, Suji District. Photo: Yongin City
Yongin — Song In-ho, Energy Economy News — Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin, who has emphasized an "on-the-ground" approach to administration, strengthened ties with residents by attending a park reading event and a sports meet on consecutive days.
Observers said the mayor's itinerary reflected a concrete effort to put the city's philosophy of improving quality of life into practice.
On April 17, the city hosted the 2nd Park Reading Party at the Reading Plaza in Sinjeong Park, Suji District.
Some 150 residents joined Mayor Lee for a "booknic" (book + picnic), reading and socializing freely. The event highlighted how urban parks can serve as everyday reading spaces.
The city organized the event to mark Library Day and boost public interest in reading.
Interactive programs included "Reading My Life Book" and a "2026 Book of the Year" transcription activity. The "Read My Life Book Together" booth, where residents shared recommended titles, attracted large crowds.
▲Mayor Lee Sang-il tours activity booths at the 2nd Park Reading Party on April 17 at the Reading Plaza in Sinjeong Park, Suji District. Photo: Yongin City
▲Mayor Lee Sang-il watches an I'm Busker performance with residents at the 2nd Park Reading Party on April 17 at Sinjeong Park's Reading Plaza. Photo: Yongin City
▲Mayor Lee Sang-il shares his "book of life" with residents at an activity booth during the 2nd Park Reading Party on April 17 at Sinjeong Park. Photo: Yongin City
Author Kim Jung-hyuk hosted a book talk, followed by I'm Busker performances featuring Kang Ye-young and Chaebi, creating a program that blended literature and the arts and drew a strong response.
Mayor Lee attended the performances and spoke informally with attendees.
The city provided 20 shade tents and 30 camping chairs to establish a "reading rest area" in the park so residents could access books comfortably during their daily routines.
Officials described the move as part of a strategy to bolster Yongin's image as a city of readers, and the city's reading statistics support that aim.
The city's reading rate is 54.2%, well above the national adult average of 38.5%. Suji Library has ranked first nationwide for book loans for two consecutive years, and ten of the country's top 100 lending libraries are located in Yongin.
Mayor Lee said, "Yongin has invested heavily in library infrastructure and programming, and our budget for new book purchases is higher than in neighboring cities. We will continue to expand programs so residents can enjoy reading even more."
Encouraging Yongin Athletes at the 72nd Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Festival (2026 Gwangju)
▲Mayor Lee Sang-il encouraged the Yongin delegation competing at the 72nd Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Festival in Gwangju on April 16. Photo: Yongin City
On April 16, he attended the opening ceremony in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, to support the Yongin delegation.
He joined the athletes in the opening procession and used the occasion to showcase Yongin's competitiveness and development to a broader audience.
At the dinner that followed, he met the athletes and encouraged them, saying, "We expect results that will raise Yongin's standing and civic pride."
▲Mayor Lee Sang-il encouraged the Yongin delegation competing at the 72nd Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Festival in Gwangju. Photo: Yongin City
He also visited the taekwondo and bowling venues in person to cheer athletes on, maintaining his on-site approach to engagement.
The delegation posted early results across several sports, signaling a strong start to the competition.
The city entered 26 events, excluding billiards, and fielded a delegation of 485 people—312 athletes and 173 officials. City hall workplace sports clubs competed in six events to boost competitiveness.
Mayor Lee emphasized, "Yongin is evolving into a high-tech city centered on the semiconductor industry while also developing balanced cultural, artistic, and athletic sectors. We will continue to expand infrastructure so every resident can participate in sports."
Last year, Yongin placed sixth in Division 1 among 15 cities and counties at the 71st Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Festival in Gapyeong County. The team trained intensively ahead of this year's event to aim for an improved finish.
Reporter Song In-ho sih31@ekn.kr
