Naju-si Achieves 'Overall 5th Place' in National Local Government Evaluation

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 25th that it achieved 5th place overall among cities with populations under 500,000 in the 2021 National Local Government Evaluation.

The national local government evaluation is hosted by the Korean Association for Local Government Studies and Hankook Ilbo, supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and this year marks its 5th edition.

This evaluation is conducted on 242 metropolitan and basic local governments nationwide to promote regional balanced development and enhance local government capabilities, and ranks them comprehensively by dividing into two categories: ‘Administrative Services’ and ‘Financial Capacity.’

The Administrative Services category evaluated budget allocation levels and management status of nine items including ‘welfare, health, local economy, culture and tourism, safety,’ using data from the National Statistical Portal and information disclosure requests.

The Financial Capacity category used statistical data such as ‘Local Finance 365’ and ‘Local Finance and Local Public Enterprise Innovation Evaluation’ to assess financial soundness and financial management levels.

The city maintained its overall 5th place among 59 city local governments, the same as last year.

It proved its local government competitiveness by ranking 3rd in Administrative Services and improving from 33rd to 21st in Financial Capacity compared to last year.

In particular, it drew attention by rising 21 places from 24th to 3rd in the local economy sector.

Culture and tourism also rose from 23rd to 19th, and education jumped from 25th to 9th.

To revitalize the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the city has steadily promoted measures such as ‘expanding the public institution direct management cafeteria closure system,’ ‘improving hygiene facility businesses and modernizing traditional markets,’ and ‘campaigns to use traditional markets and shopping districts.’

Especially, the local currency ‘Naju Sarang Gift Certificate’ recorded sales of 62 billion KRW as of the end of last month, ranking first in the province, injecting vitality into the local economy by preventing capital outflow.

The Korea Energy Engineering University, which was included in the government’s national agenda aiming to cultivate world-class energy sector talent, passed a special law in April, started construction in June, and is scheduled to open in March next year.

Previously, the city implemented free school meals in eup and myeon areas through the first-ever school meal support ordinance in the nation in 2003, and recently signed a business agreement with the Naju Office of Education for ‘local food supply for school meals,’ striving to guarantee healthy food for students and expand universal educational welfare.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “I thank the 120,000 citizens who contributed their efforts and support to achieve 3rd place in Administrative Services and 5th place overall among 59 cities nationwide,” adding, “Together with public officials, we will actively supplement any shortcomings and do our best to realize the vision of Naju as the energy capital of Korea and the central city of Honam.”

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr

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