Geuinmo, Geochang County Governor: "7 Trillion Won Budget Era, Signal of Infinite Growth" Another Beginning

Gu Im-mo, Geochang County Governor (Photo by Geochang County)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Gu In-mo, the mayor of Geochang County, Gyeongnam, said in his New Year's address, "The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has completely changed our lives," and added, "We must overcome difficulties we have never experienced before."

The county quickly allocated and distributed 29.6 billion KRW, including the Geochang-type emergency disaster relief fund, to support residents struggling due to COVID-19.

In addition, to comfort residents suffering from record-breaking monsoons and heavy rains, the county devoted all efforts to flood damage recovery with a budget of 30 billion KRW.

Despite the critical crisis of local extinction caused by low birth rates and aging population, the county signed MOUs with 11 investment companies, creating 244 jobs.

By promoting 37 diverse population increase policies across 10 departments, including the school closure escape project, the population was maintained at about 62,000 as of the end of December, achieving the feat of reclaiming second place among counties after seven years.

The nationwide first 'Y-shaped suspension bridge,' opened on October 24 this year, attracted 150,000 tourists in one month, rapidly emerging as the nation's top tourist destination.

Geoyeol Fortress was designated as a national historic site, and the ancient tombs in Mureung-ri, Namha-myeon, Geochang, are about to be designated as a Gyeongnam provincial monument, creating groundbreaking achievements in tourism and culture.

With these accomplishments proving the county's top administrative capabilities nationwide, it received awards in 45 categories, incentives worth 1.1 billion KRW, and was selected for 66 public contest projects, securing a budget of 90.6 billion KRW. The county allocated a record-breaking 201.6 billion KRW in national and provincial funds, laying the foundation for the second half of the 7th local government term and striving to soar as the best autonomous local government.

Gu In-mo, Geochang County Governor, Receives Korea Local Autonomy Development Award. (Photo by Geochang County)

Mayor Gu said, "In 2021, we expect to allocate a record-breaking budget of 650 billion KRW, signaling the start of an era of unlimited growth toward the initial 700 billion KRW budget era," and expressed his ambition, "We will accelerate the discovery of 48 Geochang-type New Deal projects and new projects such as regional balanced New Deal projects."

He added, "The opening of Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land, the expansion of Changpowon to 2.7 million pyeong, and the Bbaejjae Forest Leisure Sports Town are expected to mark the pinnacle of tourism in Geochang," and stated, "Through this, we will open a tourism renaissance era connecting East (Gajo Anti-Aging Healing Land), West (Suseungdae), South (Changpowon, Gamaksan Wellness Experience), and North (Bbaejjae Forest Leisure Sports Park)."

Finally, Mayor Gu said, "We will promote large-scale projects to achieve a greater leap for Geochang and an era of happiness for residents," and added, "The Geochang Detention Center construction project is progressing normally with a 20% completion rate, and the access road to Geoyeol Fortress linked to it is also preparing for groundbreaking this year."

He concluded his New Year's address by saying, "The year 2021, the year of the Metal Ox (辛丑年), will be a year of new challenges," and "Despite constant changes, the county government will maintain its focus and concentrate all administrative power to ensure residents do not experience inconvenience."

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