Wando-gun Secures 19.4 Billion KRW in National Funding for 2023 Comprehensive Island Development Project

Published 21 Oct.2022 12:53(KST)

Targeting 58 Locations... Promoting Small-Scale Harbor Development and Tourist Site Maintenance

Wando-gun Nohwa Bogil Island Comprehensive Development Project Site (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the 21st, Jeonnam Wando-gun announced that it will receive 19.4 billion KRW in national funding, an increase of 5.1 billion KRW from this year's budget, for the ‘2023 Comprehensive Island Development Project’ aimed at promoting the development of island areas and improving residential conditions.

This achievement was the result of continuous visits and proposals to relevant central government departments by the county governor and responsible departments since early this year to increase the project budget.

The Comprehensive Island Development Project is jointly promoted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to improve residents' welfare and increase income by maintaining and expanding living infrastructure in island areas.

The third phase of the project was completed by 2017, and a fourth phase plan (total project cost of 118 billion KRW) has been established and is being implemented from 2018 to 2027 as a long-term ongoing project.

This year, 14.3 billion KRW in national funds is being invested in 56 locations to expand income bases and provide a safe and pleasant environment for residents and tourists, including small-scale fishing port maintenance in Geumil Cheokchi district and improvements to Cheongsan Slow Road.

From next year, the project will be carried out at a total of 58 locations.

Including 47 ongoing projects continuing from last year, new projects will be promoted in 11 locations directly related to residents' lives and income, such as small-scale fishing port development, village access roads, and tourist site maintenance, which had been excluded from the Comprehensive Island Development Project until now.

In particular, by actively reflecting residents' opinions from the planning stage and promoting only necessary projects, the effectiveness will be enhanced and residents' long-standing demands will be addressed.

Additionally, some projects will operate an in-house design team composed of public officials to save budget spent on design service fees and invest in resolving civil complaints, thereby improving budget efficiency.

Shin Woo-cheol, governor of Wando-gun, said, “The Comprehensive Island Development Project will not only improve the living environment of island residents but also contribute to the local economy through smooth production and transportation of specialty products,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to make the islands vibrant and good places to live.”