Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, Meets Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun to Discuss Key Current Projects

Proposal for Hosting Volunteer Training Center and Public Institutions in Suncheon

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, continued his extensive administration by meeting with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Koo Yoon-chul, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, at the Government Seoul Office the previous day to propose and share major pending projects of Suncheon City.

During the meeting, Mayor Heo explained the necessity and urgency of government support for infrastructure development for the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo, an international event that transforms the entire city into a single garden. He also emphasized the justification for attracting six public institutions related to environment and culture by leveraging Suncheon’s strengths in ecology and culture in the second phase of public institution relocation to local areas, expressing his intention to attract them.

Additionally, regarding the construction project of the National Volunteer Training Center, he proposed the validity and necessity of hosting it in Suncheon in connection with the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo, which will be citizen-led, drawing on the successful experience of hosting the 2013 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo with 280,000 citizens ten years ago.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, “As Suncheon is a model city for local autonomy, I expect the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo to be successfully held through citizen participation.” He also shared the recognition of the necessity to establish the National Volunteer Training Center in Suncheon and showed deep interest in Suncheon’s intention to attract public institutions, although the government has not yet prepared specific relocation plans.

Mayor Heo said, “Since revenue has decreased this year due to COVID-19, securing national funds is more urgent than ever. I will do my best until the end, including visiting the National Assembly to secure national funds for next year.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.