Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor, "Will Actively Promote Key Projects for Regional Development"

Revealing 7 Core Tasks Through the Policy Speech

2021 Marks the Inaugural Year of the Marine Healing Industry, Striving to Establish a Century-Long Foundation

Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor, explained the direction of county administration during the 2021 budget proposal speech at the 286th 2nd regular session of the Wando County Council. (Photo by Wando County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the 9th, Shin Woo-cheol, the governor of Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, presented the direction of county administration containing a blueprint for Wando’s development through the 2021 budget proposal submission speech at the 286th Wando County Council 2nd regular meeting, stating, “We will designate 2021 as the inaugural year of the marine healing industry and establish a solid foundation for the marine healing industry.”

First, he expressed gratitude, saying, “Amid an unprecedented COVID-19 crisis where everyone is going through difficult times, we protected Clean Wando through the solidarity and cooperation of our residents and made continuous efforts to achieve valuable results.”

This year, Wando-gun accelerated the construction of the Marine Healing Center, operated marine healing programs, promoted LPG pipeline network construction and flood prevention projects, obtained international certification for eco-friendly seafood such as abalone, seaweed, and kelp, pursued non-face-to-face overseas market development, exported Wando rice to the U.S. and Russia, was selected for the Geumdangdo ‘Island Beautification Project,’ reaccredited the Blue Flag at Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach, secured 83.4 billion KRW through selection in 31 public contests, and achieved 16 awards including the ‘Best Award’ for local regulatory innovation and the Prime Minister’s Award for personnel innovation.

Governor Shin explained the direction of next year’s county administration to respond to the rapidly changing era and accelerate Wando-gun’s development, focusing on seven core tasks.

The core tasks include leading the marine healing industry and marine bioindustry, promoting regional economic revitalization with a virtuous cycle of production and consumption, advancing future-oriented regional development projects, establishing a foundation for the co-growth of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries, developing distinctive cultural and tourism resources, creating a safe and livable environment, and building a comprehensive social welfare system.

In particular, he emphasized efforts to establish the Marine Healing Center, a core facility of the marine healing industry for Wando’s centennial plan, related facility construction, attracting private investment, and laying the foundation for the marine bioindustry, including certified production facilities for bioactive seaweed materials.

Additionally, plans include attracting coastal fishing fleets, designating the second phase of the Gwangju-Wando Expressway construction as a key route in the ‘2nd Five-Year Expressway Plan,’ upgrading the Wando-Goheung national road, reflecting the construction of the Honam-Jeju high-speed railway via Wando in the ‘4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan,’ and securing national funding for the construction of the Gudo-Soan connecting bridge.

He also stressed the steady promotion of the Rural New Vitality Plus Project, the creation of the highest quality rice production complexes, and the Fishermen’s New Deal 300 Project.

Efforts will focus on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage registration covering all of Wando, the full-scale promotion of the Gogeum Yi Sun-sin Historical Park creation and tourism resource development project, expansion of the Dadohae Sunrise Park project, and the establishment of island forest trail trekking courses.

Plans also include operating a smart drone system, constructing three multipurpose indoor gymnasiums as national sports centers in three towns and townships, urban regeneration projects in the old downtown area, and building the Wando-gun Youth Center and Family Center.

To promote major policies and pending projects next year, the county prepared and submitted a 2021 budget proposal of 548.5 billion KRW to the Wando County Council, an increase of 5.8% from this year’s original budget.

Looking at the expenditure budget by sector, agriculture, forestry, and marine fisheries account for the largest portion at 28.68% with 157.3 billion KRW, followed by social welfare at 122.3 billion KRW (22.30%), environment at 46.8 billion KRW (8.5%), culture and tourism at 39.4 billion KRW (7.2%), land and regional development at 30.9 billion KRW (5.6%), general public administration at 23.5 billion KRW (4.3%), and health at 10.2 billion KRW (1.9%).

Governor Shin Woo-cheol expressed his aspiration, saying, “We will respond with full force until the COVID-19 crisis ends to protect the safety of our residents and Clean Wando. We will actively promote key projects linked to the marine healing industry to prepare for the post-COVID era, stabilize the livelihoods of ordinary people, and foster regional development.”

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