Myeong Hyun-gwan, Haenam County Governor, "When Haenam Does It, Confidence in Korea's Standards Grows"

100 Days of the 8th Civilian Administration: Reaffirming the Commitment to a Livable, Leading Haenam
Strengthening the Will to Become Carbon Neutral No.1 by Participating in Haenam-style ESG Resource Circulation Projects

On the 6th, Myeong Hyun-gwan, head of Haenam County, held a regular staff meeting in the large conference room of the county office. (Photo by Haenam County)

[Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] On the 6th, Myung Hyun-gwan, the mayor of Haenam County, declared a vigorous leap forward for Haenam under the 8th local government administration on the occasion of his 100th day in office during a regular staff meeting held at the county office's large conference room. He expressed his determination to realize a new vision for Haenam that surpasses the achievements of the 7th local government administration.

Mayor Myung said, “The past 100 days since the launch of the 8th local government administration have reaffirmed our confidence that Haenam will set the standard and become the benchmark for South Korea by inheriting the momentum of the greatest administrative achievements of the 7th local government administration. I thank the residents for their unwavering support and will work even harder to realize the vision of a livable and leading Haenam.”

During the regular meeting, new public officials who are taking their first steps as civil servants pledged to “not lose their original intention and walk the path of serving the residents.” An employee campaign expressing the wish to attract the National Marine Fisheries Museum, a key project promoted by Haenam County, was also held.

On that day, Mayor Myung participated in ‘Ttangkkeut Hope,’ a resident-participatory resource circulation project implemented by Haenam County to practice Haenam-style ESG ethical management, which is a key focus of the 8th local government administration. ‘Ttangkkeut Hope’ is a recycling reward system where residents earn points by disposing of clean recyclables that have been emptied, rinsed, and separated, which can then be exchanged for Haenam Love Gift Certificates.

Mayor Myung stated, “Haenam-style ESG ethical management, which is fair and competent, is becoming the policy for county administration, creating clean and transparent administration through environmental and social responsibility, communication, and participation. Efficient and capable administration is being established.” He cited the spread of ESG ethical management throughout the county administration and the establishment of Haenam’s status as a local government leading ESG as the greatest changes.

Under the 8th local government administration, Haenam County has set the administrative goal of ‘Vigorous Leap, Livable Leading Haenam’ and established five major administrative policies: communication and empathy ethical management, sustainable future agriculture, southwestern coastal tourism hub, symbiotic vitality balanced development, and people-centered sharing welfare. The county is actively promoting continuity and sustainable growth in administration.

Since the 8th local government administration began, the National Agricultural Food Climate Change Center construction project passed the preliminary feasibility study early and is progressing smoothly, concretizing the blueprint for the nation’s largest climate change response agricultural research complex, emerging as a hub for national climate change response tasks.

In particular, the Solar City industrial complex has been selected as a national project for the government’s carbon-neutral cluster and eco-friendly renewable energy industrial and power generation complex development plan. Additionally, a 2.6 trillion KRW-scale global data center investment agreement was signed, attracting attention as an investment destination for realizing carbon neutrality.

Mayor Myung, who visited the United States last month for an investment agreement, said, “We expect not only the data center but also related industries to be attracted in large numbers, providing a breakthrough opportunity to revitalize the local economy. Through becoming the number one carbon-neutral area, we will create sustainable growth engines for Haenam and lead future industries.”

Securing national and local government funds for large-scale projects that will serve as long-term growth engines for Haenam’s development is also notable.

The county concluded the 7th local government administration with record achievements, securing 324.5 billion KRW in national and local government funds and being selected for 127 public projects worth 536.9 billion KRW.

In line with this, the county’s budget has been solidly managed, opening the era of 1 trillion KRW in local finance, uniquely among county-level administrations nationwide since 2019. Given the difficult financial situation, the county is determined that securing national and local government funds will determine the success of administration and is making every effort to secure 93.1 billion KRW for disaster prevention projects and other funds this year.

He also shared plans to leap forward as a southwestern tourism hub city through differentiated cultural tourism.

With the completion of regional tourism development projects emphasized during the 7th local government administration, the county aims to spark a renaissance in Haenam tourism through revitalizing the Hwawon Tourism Complex, creating a European village theme park within the Solar City industrial complex, and maintaining the Mahan historical and cultural zone.

The local economic revitalization strategy will activate a symbiotic economy, including the Haenam Love Gift Certificates, which record the largest issuance and sales among counties, reduce disparities between towns and townships by expanding living SOC through rural agreements and establishing industrial infrastructure, and lay the foundation for balanced development.

Infrastructure development to attract tourists and corporate investment through the opening of railroads and highways and expansion of transportation networks to major tourist sites will also be steadily promoted.

Following the construction of the Youth Nuri Culture Center and Youth Dudream Center, the county senior citizens’ hall, veterans’ hall, Haenam Cinema, and Haenam County local food direct sales store during the 7th local government administration, the new Haenam County government building has been completed, and this year, a stay-type support center for returnees to farming and fishing villages has opened.

Additionally, the Ttangkkeut Family Harmony Center will open in the second half of the year, completing the establishment of living cultural welfare infrastructure for residents. The scholarship fund project, aiming to raise 50 billion KRW, is expected to bear fruit with the establishment of the Haenam County Education Foundation within the year, marking a record of a resident-participatory scholarship fund creation not seen in other local governments.

Along with this, the county finalized detailed plans for the pledges made to residents in the 8th local government administration last month, confirming 115 tasks across five major areas.

Mayor Myung Hyun-gwan said, “During the 7th local government administration, Haenam County was the only local government in Jeonnam to receive the highest grade for four consecutive years in the manifesto pledge implementation evaluation and achieved a pledge fulfillment rate of over 99%, faithfully keeping promises to residents. Marking the 100th day of the 8th local government administration, we will not only keep each promise made to residents but also foster long-term growth engines to truly create a livable and leading Haenam.”

Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun alwatros@asiae.co.kr

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