Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor, "Let's Combine Wisdom and Capabilities to Achieve Wando's Development"

Announcing Seven Major Military Administration Directions for Next Year Through the Policy Speech

Focusing Administrative Power on Revitalizing the Local Economy Based on 2021 Achievements

Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol is delivering a policy speech. Photo by Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil] On the 9th, Shin Woo-cheol, the governor of Wando County, announced the operational directions of the 7th county administration for 2022 through a policy speech at the regular meeting of the Wando County Council.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “I thank the residents who have encouraged and supported the county administration to proceed without setbacks despite the rapid social changes caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic,” and added, “There are definitely opportunities amid crises, so let us pool our wisdom and capabilities to achieve the development of Wando.”

Additionally, he mentioned the achievements of the 2021 county administration, including the upgrade of the coastal tourism road between Wando and Goheung to a national highway, the establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum, smooth progress of the marine healing industry such as the Marine Healing Center, selection of 19 public contest projects, designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, securing national funding for the feasibility study of the construction of the Yeondo Bridge between Gudo and Soan, and hosting large-scale events such as the 2023 Jeonnam Provincial Sports Festival.

As the operational directions of the 7th county administration for 2022, Governor Shin first expressed his determination to successfully establish the marine healing industry by completing the Marine Healing Center, Marine Cultural Healing Center, Cheongsan Marine Healing Park, and Yaksan Marine Healing Experience Center, thereby preparing future growth engines.

In particular, he declared his ambition to make Wando a marine bio hub through the marine bio industry specialized in seaweed and abalone, by establishing certified production facilities for bioactive seaweed materials, a marine healthcare efficacy evaluation and demonstration support center, a marine bio joint research institute, and functional material research projects.

Secondly, to revitalize agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries, the plan includes expanding eco-friendly seafood certification, proclaiming the first ESG fisheries management in a county-level local government, promoting the Fishing Village New Deal 300 project, fully implementing the Rural New Vitality Plus project, and developing income crops responsive to climate change to strengthen competitiveness.

Efforts will focus on recovering the local economy, which has been depressed due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, through loan interest support for small business owners, expanding the issuance of Wando Love Gift Certificates, and attracting coastal fishing fleets.

Thirdly, the county aims to foster itself as a marine tourism hub city with four themes?experiential tourism, healing tourism, cultural tourism, and ecological tourism?along with early establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum, trekking courses on Seomjari Forest Trail, development of Yeoseodo and Geumdangdo islands as desirable islands, and the Gogeum Yi Sun-sin Historical Park project.

Fourthly, to expand regional SOC, projects such as the early commencement of the second phase of the Gwangju-Wando Expressway, early start of the Yaksan-Geumil land bridge construction for the Wando-Goheung coastal tourism road, and construction of the Gudo-Soan Yeondo Bridge will be promptly initiated.

Fifthly, for universal welfare administration that makes everyone happy, tailored welfare policies by class will continue, including elderly bathing and beauty expenses, installation of LPG remote metering and safety service equipment for vulnerable groups, encouragement of childbirth and childcare support, and following the completion of the Youth Center, the Veterans Hall and Family Center are scheduled to be completed next year.

Sixthly, to expand education and sports infrastructure, investments will increase in support for the Jangbogo Scholarship Foundation and local education projects, customized lifelong education for residents, and creation of regional children’s playgrounds.

Lastly, Governor Shin emphasized, “We will continue to operate the 24-hour CCTV integrated control center, urban regeneration projects, and flood prevention projects in frequently flooded areas, and improve residents’ quality of life by implementing a 1,000 won passenger ferry fare system, a 100 won Hope Taxi service, and expanding night ferry operations for island residents’ transportation welfare.”

Meanwhile, the new year budget submitted by the county to the county council is 549.4 billion won, an increase of 0.17% from this year’s main budget of 548.5 billion won, and the fiscal independence ratio slightly rose to 6.48% compared to the previous year.

Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr

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