Lee Byung-no, Director of Damyang New Vision Institute, Receives 'Korea Regional Development Award'

As a Public Official, Recognized for Integrity... Also Acknowledged for Strong Planning and High Drive

[Damyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] Lee Byeongno, director of Damyang New Vision Research Institute, won the Grand Prize in the regional category at the ‘Korea Regional Development Awards’ hosted by the Regional Development Policy Institute (President Park Daewoo) on the 8th.

Now in its 12th year, the ‘Korea Regional Development Awards’ is hosted by the Regional Development Policy Institute (President Park Daewoo) and sponsored by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It boasts the highest prestige in the fields of national and regional development. In 2013, Choi Hyungsik, the mayor of Damyang County, also won the Grand Prize in the regional category.

Director Lee’s award this time is known to have been highly evaluated for leaving a respectable example for juniors as a true public servant dedicated to serving the people during his 40 years of public service until his retirement in 2019, and for practicing the spirit of incorruptible and clean governance.

While administering county affairs in Damyang, Director Lee notably contributed to the establishment of the Damyang Bamboo Leaf Tea Factory and secured about 100 intellectual property rights related to new bamboo industries. He also achieved significant results in securing 3 billion KRW in public project funds for the local bamboo shoot industry and commercializing Damyang bamboo shoots.

Additionally, during his tenure as head of Geumseong-myeon, he actively worked on the ground to promote the ‘Geumseongsanseong Fortress Area Rural Development Project’ and the creation of a 7 km flower road along the Yeongsan River embankment, earning the cheers of local residents.

In particular, he played a role in attracting 73.2 billion KRW in private investment for the development of Meta Provence, which is gaining attention as ‘Damyang’s No. 1 tourist spot,’ helping to create an inland tourism hub visited by 2 million people annually. He also acted as a midwife for the Damyang Eco General Industrial Complex, where 93 billion KRW was invested in a 176,000-pyeong site, resulting in about 100 companies and 2,500 jobs.

Director Lee said, “Thanks to the great interest and encouragement of the county residents, I was able to receive such a great award,” and added, “After retirement, I have not taken a day off and have listened to the advice of the residents every day, which gave me the courage to challenge new areas.”

Meanwhile, Director Lee has received several awards including the Model Public Official Commendation (Prime Minister), the 2018 Gwangju-Jeonnam Person Who Shined, the 2019 Korea New Intellectual (Public Official category), the Order of Service Merit, Red Stripes (President), and now the Grand Prize in the regional category of the ‘Korea Regional Development Awards.’

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