Kim San, Muan County Governor, "Opening a Happy Muan Era through Balanced Urban-Rural Development"

Kim San, County Governor of Muan-gun (Photo by Muan-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Kim San, the mayor of Muan County, said on the 1st, “We will proclaim the future vision of Muan with a new city brand called the capital of Jeonnam and platform Muan, and lead county administration where all residents live well through balanced development of rural and urban areas.”

Mayor Kim San expressed his ambition, saying, “In the new year, we will become a region where people want to live and stay by promoting job creation and population policies, taking a step closer to the elevation of Muan to city status.”

First, he plans to establish a population policy to lay the groundwork for Muan’s elevation to city status.

With the completion of the first phase of residential land development in the Oryong district of Illo-eup, about 4,000 people have moved in, bringing the current population to approximately 85,000; however, the area is still included in the population extinction risk zone.

Since population issues are directly linked to regional development, the county plans to revise ordinances to expand incentives for newcomers and establish a sustainable and differentiated mid- to long-term population policy tailored to the region through commissioned research.

The goal is to achieve an early population of 100,000 in preparation for Muan’s elevation to city status and to enhance residents’ pride and satisfaction with administrative services befitting a central city in Jeonnam.

He envisions creating a win-win model through balanced and harmonious development between urban and rural areas. The downtown area will be revitalized by expanding cultural welfare facilities and basic infrastructure through urban regeneration New Deal projects, rural hub revitalization projects, and rural vulnerable area living condition improvement projects, injecting vitality into the depressed region.

The planned relocation and new construction of the health center and the construction of the Kkumteul Complex Center, scheduled to begin this year, will provide urban-level cultural welfare benefits and become landmarks of Muan. Namak and Oryong will establish their status as administrative and educational cities and transform into walkable cities where nature and urban life coexist.

In particular, a high school will be established early in the Oryong district, and facilities closely related to residents’ lives such as the Oryong Complex Cultural Center, children’s library, swimming pool, and park golf course will be continuously expanded.

Mayor Kim said, “We will create a city of opportunity and vitality through good job creation,” adding, “The aviation-specialized industrial complex, which began construction last November, will start operations in 2022 as a new growth engine industry that will be the food source for Muan County’s next hundred years.”

With the successful promotion of the aviation-specialized industrial complex, the county plans to attract excellent companies, create jobs, attract high-level talent, and revitalize the local economy, thereby establishing a virtuous cycle ecosystem for jobs.

Plans to create an aviation national industrial complex and a new industrial complex around Muan International Airport and to build an advanced aviation industry cluster linked to aircraft maintenance are also being carefully reviewed.

Additionally, there are plans to develop Muan International Airport into a global gateway airport for the southwestern region.

Muan International Airport has secured 65.2 billion KRW in government budget for airport activation projects, including runway extension. The construction of the railway sections Gomagwon?Mokpo and Boseong?Imseong-ri, part of the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway, is about to begin with an investment of 4.0709 trillion KRW.

Furthermore, with the early completion of the Honam High-Speed Railway in 2023 and the KTX stopping at Muan, it will become the only regional airport in the country with KTX service, securing the best comparative advantage in accessibility.

Last year, Jeollanam-do was also selected for the ‘Korea Total Tourism Package (KTTP)’ contest based on Muan International Airport, marking a groundbreaking turning point for the tourism industry through airport activation.

In particular, efforts will be made to overcome the crisis of agricultural environmental changes and increase the income of farmers and fishermen.

The county will expand advanced ICT-based smart farm facilities to reduce labor and increase production, contribute to farm income by securing sales channels and enhancing brand competitiveness through the activation of agricultural product distribution centers.

At the same time, a spawning ground for mother octopus mudflats and habitats suitable for octopus ecology will be created around Mangun Tando Bay to continue the nationwide reputation of Muan octopus.

Support for livestock ICT convergence projects and the establishment of a proactive quarantine system to prevent livestock infectious diseases in advance will also be implemented to realize animal welfare-oriented clean green livestock farming.

To prevent welfare blind spots for the elderly and vulnerable groups in need of care, customized welfare teams, community social security councils, neighborhood welfare task forces, senior clubs, and dementia relief centers will be actively utilized to provide demand-centered integrated social security services, making Muan a welfare-realized county.

To this end, the Muan County Family Center will be built, and national and public daycare centers and child care facilities will be expanded to create a childcare environment where parents can raise children with peace of mind, focusing all capabilities on this goal.

Mayor Kim San said, “The year 2021 is an important year that will mark a major milestone in the future development of our county, preparing for the establishment of the aviation-specialized industrial complex, the extension of Muan Airport runway, the opening of the KTX in 2023, and youth job creation,” adding, “Together with about 800 public officials, we will do our best to achieve these significant tasks.”

He added, “Regarding the controversial issues of the ‘Gwangju Private Airport Relocation Integration’ and the ‘Gwangju Combat Flight Base Relocation,’ which have recently been stirred by Gwangju City’s unilateral cancellation of agreements, we will unite the will of the residents and respond firmly and strongly.”

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