Kim Sun-ho, Gurye County Governor, to Create Korea's No.1 Happy City... 3rd Anniversary Press Conference

Achieved 50% First Dose Vaccination Rate...Nation's First Hope for Herd Immunity
Secured 300 Billion KRW Budget for Projects in Four Major Regions...Mid- to Long-Term Projects Materializing
22 Billion KRW Invested in Flood Prevention District Unit C

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yuk Miseok] Kim Sun-ho, the governor of Gurye County, announced on the 1st, "We have secured 300 billion KRW through four major regional projects and will invest 220 billion KRW to prevent flood damage."

Governor Kim held a press conference in the county office's large conference room on the occasion of his 3rd anniversary in office to explain the county's current projects and future administrative directions.

He presented the achievement of reaching a 50% COVID-19 vaccination rate and securing a budget of 300 billion KRW for the four major regional projects as key accomplishments and outlined future plans accordingly.

Securing 220 billion KRW for permanent flood prevention measures against the Seomjin River flood was also highlighted as a major issue.

Governor Kim stated that proactive measures were taken, including being the first nationwide to distribute public masks and establishing the second screening clinic in Jeonnam.

The vaccination campaign is progressing at a pace more than 20% faster than the national average, and it is expected to reach 70% by mid-August.

"We have secured a budget of 300 billion KRW through four major regional projects," he said, introducing detailed plans for this.

In the Gurye-eup region, a total of 150 billion KRW will be invested to improve the urban environment and revitalize traditional markets.

This year, the Maechun Library was relocated and opened successfully, and residents moved into the national rental apartments. The 5-day Market is being developed into a cultural tourism market.

Projects such as pedestrian environment improvement, undergrounding of power lines, and the Bongseongsan trail are being completed in phases, transforming the area into a walkable city.

Going forward, a 67 billion KRW urban regeneration project will be promoted focusing on the flood-affected 5-day Market, Bongdong-ri, and Bongnam-ri areas to improve the urban environment.

In the Seomjin River region, 60 billion KRW will be invested to develop it into a leisure mecca.

By the end of the year, flood restoration of the Otter Ecological Park will be completed, and it will open together with the ecological garden, creating the largest ecological park in the country.

Unique leisure facilities such as the Sky Bike, which crosses the Seomjin River by bicycle, and the Sky Surfer, which allows surfing in the air, will be introduced.

In the Hwaeomsa region, a total of 40 billion KRW will be invested to develop it into a healing and ecological tourist destination attracting one million visitors.

A circular tram connecting Hwaeomsa Temple, Hwaeom Shopping District, and the Jirisan History and Culture Center will be established. An anion path linking the Ecological Exploration Training Center and Hwaeomsa will unify the Hwaeom region.

Within the Hwaeomsa precincts, a natural healing meditation center and a temple meal restaurant will operate, and a sanctuary for Asiatic black bears will be created, making it a healing mecca.

In the Jirisan Hot Springs region, 40 billion KRW will be invested to develop it into a resort destination where visitors can stay.

The Gurye Arboretum, Jeonnam's first public arboretum, officially opened last May, attracting over 6,000 tourists in just over a month.

The Jirisan Lake Park auto camping site, Jirisan Garden zipline, and monorail will open sequentially this year.

Five forest-themed gardens will be created in Jirisan Garden, and the life healing housing complex will be expanded in phases.

In the Jirisan Hot Springs area, large corporations will be attracted to develop the area into a resort with hot springs, golf, and rural villages.

Yongbang-myeon, which is not included in the four major regions, will actively promote large-scale private investments.

A logistics center worth 22 billion KRW and a tomato workshop worth 15 billion KRW are being constructed in the second phase of Natural Dream Park.

Nearby, a 18 billion KRW eco-friendly organic farming complex town project is underway.

Plans are also in place to build an additional 18 billion KRW healing center and sports healing center.

They also announced plans to attract the third phase of Natural Dream Park and develop it into a healing and wellness cluster.

Preventive measures against the Seomjin River flood that occurred in August last year were also announced.

The county secured 220 billion KRW for a district unit comprehensive restoration project linking restoration and prevention projects.

They will raise or reinforce embankments of local and small rivers and improve various structures such as bridges accordingly. Drainage pump stations will be installed in areas damaged by inland flooding.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim declared that he will fight to the end for compensation for flood victims.

Governor Kim said, "We organized an adjuster team faster than any other region and completed 2,400 damage assessment services," adding, "We will do our best to ensure flood victims receive compensation through the revised Environmental Dispute Mediation Act."

He continued, "Although there were many difficulties during the three years of the 7th local government, we have steadily prepared future growth engines," expressing his ambition, "We will focus on key projects such as vaccination, flood restoration, and the four major regional projects to advance Gurye as Korea's number one happy city."

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