Kim San, Muan County Governor, "We Will Realize County Administration of Communication, Sharing, and Innovation"

Establishing the Identity of 'Jeonnam Capital, Muan'... Firm Opposition to City-Province Integration

Kim San, the head of Muan District, is delivering a policy speech at the 2nd regular session of the 268th Muan County Council on the 10th. / Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Kim San, the county governor, detailed this year’s administrative achievements and next year’s administrative operation directions in his policy speech at the 2nd regular session of the 268th Muan County Council held on the 10th.

Governor Kim said, “This year, when the coronavirus pandemic engulfed the entire world, ‘pause’ was the most important topic and value,” adding, “All public officials prioritized the safety of residents and overcoming the economic crisis at the forefront of quarantine efforts, making their best efforts to establish a COVID-19 quarantine system and prepare post-corona response strategies.”

He also mentioned the achievements made through proactive administration centered on residents despite difficult conditions. “Externally, we were selected as an excellent institution in agricultural machinery rental business evaluation, an excellent institution in the agricultural and specialty products category at the Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards, the top institution in the civil defense special inspection evaluation, the best improving institution in the traffic culture index, an excellent institution in the local government productivity awards, and an excellent institution in creating happy rural communities. Additionally, we secured a total of 21.6 billion KRW in various public contest projects and government budgets exceeding 30 billion KRW,” he explained.

He also cited as major achievements the amicable resolution of the demolition issue of the old agricultural products market, which had been a troublesome matter for the past 30 years, through dialogue and compromise, and the establishment of a rural public bus route circulating between Oryong, Naman New Town, and Illo to enhance residents’ convenience.

However, he expressed regret over the integrated conflict regarding the relocation of Gwangju private airport, the shutdown of Muan International Airport due to the COVID-19 impact, the weakening justification for Muan’s city promotion amid discussions on city-province integration, and its inclusion in the population extinction risk areas. He stated, “Even if internal and external constraints increase, we will push forward with county administration unwaveringly with extraordinary determination.”

Regarding the complex internal and external conditions, he emphasized, “We will firmly and consistently convey Muan County’s opposition to the relocation of the military airfield through various channels.”

In particular, on the conflict over the private airport relocation, he said, “We hope for unconditional sincere compliance with the agreement, but if the simultaneous relocation of the military airport, which forces one-sided sacrifice, is a prerequisite, difficulties are inevitable.” Regarding the city-province integration discussions, he added, “We will clearly oppose it fundamentally, but if integration occurs, the location of the integrated government office must remain in Naman, the current provincial government office site, and we will not yield on this position.”

Next year’s major administrative operation directions include the successful promotion of the ‘Muan-type New Deal Project’ in response to the with-corona era, establishment of a comprehensive population policy to lay the groundwork for Muan’s city promotion, creation of good jobs to make the city a place of opportunity and vitality where youth settle, establishment of a dignified urban foundation through balanced and harmonious development, and construction of a sustainable smart agro-fishery infrastructure, among other sectoral plans.

The total scale of the 2021 budget submitted to the council by Muan County is 529.1 billion KRW, an increase of 1.9% from this year’s original budget of 519 billion KRW. Budgets related to COVID-19 quarantine posture establishment, the Muan-type New Deal Project, job creation, and youth policies were prioritized over other projects.

Finally, Governor Kim San said, “Myself and public officials are making every effort with more extraordinary determination than ever to innovate county administration, but we cannot realize a new paradigm and vision by our strength alone,” and requested, “I ask the council members to be a strong support for building a happy Muan that is economically stable and safe from crises.”

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