Ha Byeongpil Acting Governor: "The Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Megacity and Balanced Development of Western Gyeongnam Are the Future of Gyeongnam"

Ha Byung-pil, Acting Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, is speaking at the expanded executive meeting in January.
[Image source=Gyeongsangnam-do]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Ha Byeong-pil, Acting Governor of Gyeongnam Province, emphasized on the 4th that "the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Megacity ultra-wide cooperation and balanced development of Western Gyeongnam are the two major development axes that will lead Gyeongnam's future."

At the expanded executive meeting that day, Acting Governor Ha said, "The development strategy for Western Gyeongnam is not only for Western Gyeongnam but is the most important strategy to lead the development of the entire Gyeongnam," and added, "Please work with a clear perspective that combines the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity ultra-wide cooperation to lead Gyeongnam's future."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Gyeongnam Province held the final report meeting for the 'Western Gyeongnam Development Strategy' research project and derived the Western Gyeongnam development strategy and performance expansion plan, investing 68.9 trillion won in a total of 211 projects, including 12 core strategies and 15 leading projects under three core goals: 'Space City,' 'Vitality City,' and 'Complex City.'

Acting Governor Ha encouraged the rapid execution of the budget to restore the vitality of the people's economy, including small business owners and self-employed individuals, as the COVID-19 situation enters its third year in terms of duration.

He also said, "After several discussions, additional support measures for small business owners and self-employed individuals will be announced soon," and urged, "Please continue efforts to discover blind spots where damage or suffering due to COVID-19 is increasing and find alternatives beyond this measure."

Gyeongnam Province is expected to announce the '2022 Gyeongnam-type Small Business Support Policy' soon. The measures include expanding the low-interest policy funds for small business owners from the originally planned 200 billion won to 300 billion won, supporting 100 billion won of the increased amount interest-free, and expanding support for small business guarantee fees.

Acting Governor Ha, who reported that COVID-19 cases in Gyeongnam have been declining since the end of last year, explained, "Recently, infections among those aged 60 and over, who have a high vaccination rate, are decreasing, while infections among teenagers and children/adolescents with low vaccination rates are on the rise," adding, "Since vaccine effects are statistically evident, the third dose and vaccination for children and adolescents are important at this time."

Regarding the first provincial council meeting of the new year starting on the 11th, he ordered thorough preparation, saying, "It is time to complete the 7th term of the elected government and operate the provincial administration stably through smooth cooperation with the provincial council."

Reflecting on his six months as acting governor, Ha said, "The biggest crisis was that the Gyeongnam provincial government entered an acting governor system," and added, "Policy tasks that were being carried out relatively stably are progressing as planned, and it seems that the residents are generously evaluating those aspects."

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