Naju Mayor Kang In-gyu Announces Key Achievements and Operational Directions on the 3rd Anniversary of the 7th Elected Term

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] On the 1st, Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) shared major achievements over the past three years and announced the core operational directions for the remaining year through the July regular meeting held in the large conference room of the city hall, which also marked the 3rd anniversary of its launch.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “It has been a time dedicated solely to making Naju, the energy capital and the center of Honam, a place for the happiness of citizens and regional development,” adding, “The city’s efforts to keep promises to its citizens have yielded results in many areas of administration.”

Earlier, amid the prolonged global COVID-19 pandemic since last year, the city focused on minimizing damage through prompt quarantine management and proactive responses to overcome the economic crisis.

In addition, the city achieved significant results across all administrative sectors including the core growth engine of the new energy industry, investment and jobs, welfare and education, history and culture, agriculture, and administrative services, painting a picture of hope in the face of crisis.

Despite difficult financial conditions caused by the COVID-19 aftermath, in March the city provided a “Naju-type Emergency Disaster Relief Fund” of 100,000 KRW per person in local currency to all citizens.

Furthermore, the early lump-sum payment of the 20 billion KRW scale local currency for farmers and fishermen’s public interest allowance circulated in the market, revitalizing the depressed neighborhood commercial districts.

Also, through the operation of the Regional Economic Countermeasures Headquarters, the city injected warmth into the frozen economy with multifaceted support policies such as full exemption of agricultural machinery rental fees, emergency livelihood stabilization funds for taxi workers, support for small business owners and SMEs, and agricultural product consumption campaigns.

To leap forward as the central city of Honam, the city proposed the “5 Major Leading Projects” that identify fundamental regional issues as policy tasks, and the “Gwangju~Naju Metropolitan Railway Network” construction project was finally reflected in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan, marking the first achievement.

The restoration of Mahan burial mounds is expected to be in full swing following the enforcement of the Historical and Cultural Zone Maintenance Act.

Plans for the ecological restoration of the Yeongsan River, designation of Geumseongsan as a provincial park, and relocation of LG Chem Naju Plant within the jurisdiction will also be promoted swiftly based on research results for each task and through adoption as key tasks in the next presidential election national agenda.

Regarding the operation issue of the SRF combined heat and power plant, the city’s stance is to prioritize securing citizens’ health and environmental rights and to never accept matters that have not been agreed upon by citizens and stakeholders.

Since the fuel usage has nearly doubled compared to the original plan, a contract modification is necessary, and with the administrative lawsuit appeal trial disputing the legality of administrative actions underway, the city maintains a firm position that the plant operation cannot proceed.

Mayor Kang In-gyu stated, “With an extraordinary determination that the remaining one year of my term can determine Naju’s future, we will put the 5 major leading policy tasks on track for inclusion in the next presidential election national agenda, promote Naju-type jobs centered on the new energy industry, and push forward Innovation City Season 2 led by the city,” adding, “Together with the 120,000 citizens who have persevered and advanced despite numerous crises, we will open a greater and more dignified era of Naju.”

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