Song Guigun, Goheung County Governor, Presents Next Year's Administrative Direction in Policy Speech

Successful Completion of the 7th Term of Direct Election and Focus on Securing Future Growth Engines

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Song Gwi-geun, Governor of Goheung County, Jeollanam-do, presented the major achievements and next year’s county administration direction through a policy speech at the 2nd regular session of the 302nd Goheung County Council held on November 22.

In his policy speech, Governor Song evaluated, “Over the past 3 years and 4 months of the 7th elected term, as a result of working hard together with public officials for Goheung’s change and innovation, regional development, and citizen happiness, we have achieved many accomplishments in various fields.”

Representative achievements include △securing the largest-ever national and provincial government funds and attracting public projects △leading Korea’s smart agriculture through the establishment of the Smart Farm Innovation Valley △attracting the largest-ever private investment △developing domestic and international sales channels △completing the Drone Center and building a drone industry foundation △strengthening citizen welfare and safety △attracting over 5,000 returnees to farming and rural areas.

Governor Song revealed the next year’s county administration plan, stating, “We will complete the major projects and policies of the 7th elected term and propel Goheung toward a greater future,” adding, “To this end, we will focus on promoting five major strategies for Goheung’s development and three growth engines.”

The first of the five major regional development strategies is ‘Revitalizing the local economy and increasing income.’ Plans include strengthening marketing using the representative brand of agricultural, fishery, and livestock products, 「Noraengi」, and operating 「Goheung Mall」 and 「Live Commerce Channel」 to respond to changing consumer trends. Additionally, the 「Goheung Seafood Processing Complex」 will be established in Doyang-eup to foster the seafood processing industry as a regional specialized industry.

Second, to create a ‘pleasant and safe living environment,’ projects to revitalize the old downtown such as the 「Old County Office Historical and Cultural Park」 and 「Urban Regeneration New Deal」 will be accelerated, and improvements to narrow roads and expansion of parking facilities will be continuously implemented to enhance transportation convenience.

Third, plans to expand ‘cultural and sports infrastructure’ were also announced.

Goheung County will promote the 「Jeolido Naval Battle Victory Site Ecotourism Resource Development」 around Geogeum Rest Area, and aims to have the ‘Goheung Mudflat’ registered as a World Heritage site. Cultural and sports facilities such as the 「Goheung Dreaming Art Center」 and 「Bandabi National Sports Center」 will be significantly expanded next year.

Fourth, to realize ‘sharing and coexistence welfare that empowers citizens’ lives,’ the 「Doyang Senior Health Welfare Town」 will be completed in the first half of next year, and senior job opportunities will continue to increase. The 「Goheung County Family Center」 will be built by next year to provide customized services according to family types and reduce women’s childcare burdens.

Fifth, to create a ‘happy Goheung where people return,’ the 「My Love Goheung Fund」 will raise 10 billion KRW by next year to lay the foundation for various population policy projects, and leveraging the experience of operating the 「Return-to-Farming and Rural Happiness School」, a stay-type return-to-fishing school will also be established.

Along with this, Governor Song emphasized that the three growth engines leading Goheung’s future?drone industry, aerospace industry, and tourism industry?will be nurtured together.

First, for the drone industry, customized support will be provided to companies residing in the 「Goheung Drone Center」, and drone technology demonstration projects such as 「5G-based Drone Utilization Smart Farming Demonstration and Expansion」 will be steadily promoted to develop Goheung as the ‘center of the drone industry.’

For the aerospace industry, a 「Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster」 worth 770.5 billion KRW will be established in Bongrae-myeon, attracting large corporations to increase jobs and population, aiming to elevate Goheung as a ‘center city of aerospace.’

Lastly, for the tourism industry, tourism infrastructure will be expanded near Palyoung Bridge and the Space Launch Observatory, and the Namyang Udo area and Goheung Bay area will be developed as tourism resources. Additionally, the 「Goheung Art Land Tourism Complex」, signed on November 8, will be promptly developed to create a groundbreaking turning point for Goheung tourism, fostering Goheung as a ‘marine tourism hub city in the South Coast region.’

Governor Song concluded his policy speech with the determination, “Just as Nuriho soared into space, let’s open a greater future for Goheung,” and pledged, “I will devote everything for Goheung’s development and citizen happiness.”

A Goheung County official said, “Next year’s budget proposal has entered the 800 billion KRW range for the first time ever, reaching 804.5 billion KRW. If this trend continues, achieving the originally planned 1 trillion KRW by the end of 2022 is expected to be smooth.”

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo sevenshim@asiae.co.kr

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