[Interview] Yuduseok, Jangseong County Governor, "Will Devote Fully to a Hopeful Future and New History of Jangseong"

National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Center Construction Confirmed... Nationwide Center's 'Control Tower' Role

'Yellow City' Development Amid Trials... 'Hwangryonggang Yellow Flower Festival' as Representative

Jangseongho and Future F

Judooseok, the Jangseong County Governor, is explaining his aspirations for the residents one year before the end of his term in the 7th local government.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporters Yoon Jamin and Jo Hangyu] “I will devote myself to creating a new Jangseong with a hopeful future and making new history.”

With one year left in his term as the elected governor of Jangseong-gun, Jeonnam, Yoo Dooseok thinks only of the ‘residents.’ Judging by the fact that he used the word ‘our residents’ most frequently throughout the interview, it was clear that this was not mere pretense.

Governor Yoo is credited with having ‘changed the map of Jangseong.’ The installation of the Jangseong Hi-Pass IC has been confirmed, and part of the Hwangryonggang tributary has been straightened, with the public stadium scheduled for completion next month.

He explained that all of these initiatives were pursued to improve the quality of life for the residents.

The Honam Expressway tollgate passing through Jangseong is located in the southern area, causing great inconvenience not only to northern residents but also to tourists using the highway.

In response, Jangseong-gun has been requesting the installation of a Hi-Pass IC from Jeonnam Province and the Korea Expressway Corporation since 2018, and after several discussions and feasibility studies, the installation was finally confirmed last August.

He said, “The installation of the Hi-Pass IC, a key pledge of the 7th elected term, is a project that can simultaneously ensure the safety and convenience of local residents and tourists. Entering the highway from Bohaeap Samgeori in Jangseong-eup, passing the national road intersection and the drowsiness rest area, will greatly contribute not only to transportation convenience but also to the growth and development of the entire city.”

He also spoke about the establishment of the Jangseong public stadium.

He said, “Jangseong has the natural environment of Hwangryonggang. When I was young, this was a very good river where people bathed or swam,” adding, “However, after the construction of the Jangseong Dam, the river lost its function, becoming overgrown with weeds and trees, frequently flooded, making the riverbed unusable. When people wondered where to dispose of home appliances, they even thought of Hwangryonggang, which shows how dire the situation became.”

He continued, “Thinking about how to revive such good natural conditions and land, we decided to straighten the tributary to reduce flood damage and establish a public stadium on that land. I was determined to resign as governor if this project failed,” recalling the time.

Once completed, the public stadium will include the Hong Gil-dong indoor gymnasium and swimming pool, and it is expected to boost Jangseong-gun’s bid to host the Jeonnam Sports Festival, which it has never done before.

Currently, what draws the most national attention to Jangseong is the establishment of the ‘National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Center.’

Focused on research, the National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Center will serve as the control tower for cardiovascular disease centers nationwide, significantly enhancing competitiveness in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medical field.

Governor Yoo said, “After 14 years of challenges, the result is that while the 14 cardiovascular disease centers nationwide focus on treatment, the Jangseong National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Center centers on research. The site near the Jangseong Nano Industrial Complex has institutions like the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and an Artificial Intelligence Center is also planned, so synergy effects are expected.”

He added, “Along with the National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Center, attracting the National Subtropical Crop Demonstration Center will also be a foundation for Jangseong-gun’s great development. This institution will research and introduce crops suitable for climate change, and beyond agriculture, it will have significant impacts on the local economy, including economic revitalization and job creation.”

Recently, Jangseong has become one of the few local governments nationally recognized for its distinctive color reminiscent of yellow. Governor Yoo also mentioned the ‘Yellow City’ project, which was successfully established after many trials and tribulations.

He said, “I thought Jangseong needed something that people could immediately associate with without hesitation. I wanted to base marketing on yellow, inspired by the golden light of the sunset spreading over the river, but initially, there was strong resistance.”

He continued, “By explaining the meaning of yellow as symbolizing the prosperous and happy lives of all residents, I persuaded people one by one, and now, through this project, we are rediscovering the value of the region and driving growth. One of the achievements through this is the ‘Hwangryonggang Yellow Flower Festival.’”

Governor Yoo also revealed plans to develop Hwangryonggang and Jangseongho as future growth engines.

He said, “We are creating gardens with five themes along Hwangryonggang. The first goal is designation as a provincial garden, and the ultimate goal is national garden designation. We are developing ‘Healing Island Park’ with various play spaces in Hwangmir Land, and nearby, we will establish the Yellow Art Center to lead local culture.”

He added, “We will continue to promote and find ways to revitalize the Jangseongho Waterfront Hundred-ri Trail project. We will also strengthen projects such as the Clear Water Blue Countryside Development Project, which creates rest areas and ecological learning centers downstream of Jangseongho, and the Eel Specialty Street Development Project.”

He concluded, “Many changes are happening in Jangseong, including selection for national projects, all of which are the fruits of the efforts of 50,000 residents. This is the power of governance where the government and residents are united. We will strive to create a newer and stronger Jangseong.”

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