Pyeongtaek and Gyeongju win top honors at Korea City Awards

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the winners of the ‘2026 Korea City Awards’ during a ceremony held at BEXCO in Busan. Pyeongtaek received the Presidential Award for its successful integration of carbon neutrality and industrial growth. The city expanded its clean hydrogen supply infrastructure and operated the nation’s first commercial carbon dioxide capture facility, achieving a carbon reduction effect equivalent to planting millions of trees.

Gyeongju was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for its resident-led urban regeneration project in Hwangchon Village. By utilizing a public-private-academic governance model to revitalize local commercial districts and promote urban stays, the city saw a 319% increase in floating population and a 62% increase in visitor stay duration.

Other recipients of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award include Paju for its renewable energy power purchase agreements, Seoul’s Jongno-gu for linking traditional industries with urban regeneration, and Gwangju Dong-gu for integrating AI into medical infrastructure.