Park Wansu's Gyeongnam Provincial Government '2023 Blueprint' is

Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu is explaining the direction of provincial administration for the new year at the 2023 New Year's press conference. / Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “This year marks the first year and the inaugural year of Gyeongnam Province’s leap forward.”

Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su said this at the 2023 New Year press conference on the 10th.

Governor Park said, “If the first six months after taking office were a period of tuning the car engine, the new year is the time to actually run,” adding, “Based on last year’s achievements, we need more vigorous efforts to properly pursue the set goals and produce real results.”

He announced that the 2023 provincial administration direction will be promoted under the themes of ▲Land of Opportunity Gyeongnam ▲Growing Gyeongnam ▲Joyful Gyeongnam ▲Reliable Gyeongnam ▲and Elegant Gyeongnam.

He emphasized revitalizing investment attraction based on dedicated institutions such as the Gyeongnam Investment Agency and incentives, fostering innovative startup companies centered on specialized hubs, implementing strategies for manufacturing industry innovation, creating new national industrial complexes, and expanding industrial sites.

He also mentioned the early establishment of the Space Aviation Agency to be built in Sacheon as the centerpiece of the space industry cluster, and the development of Gyeongnam-type Future Air Mobility (AAM) prototypes.

Governor Park said, “Last year, we promoted a preliminary feasibility study for new technology development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR),” adding, “If the feasibility study passes, we plan to invest about 400 billion KRW to develop advanced manufacturing process technology.”

He expressed his determination to strengthen the defense and nuclear power industry ecosystem through the operation of the Defense Export Support Group and the establishment of the Gyeongnam Nuclear Industry Comprehensive Support Center, and said efforts will also be made in key local industries as well as hydrogen industry, advanced medical device industry, and new material technology development.

“Together with Busan and Jeonnam, we will promote the establishment of the South Coast Tourism Development Agency to focus on developing tourism in the South Coast,” he said, adding, “We will regulate development in scenic areas like Hallyeohaesang National Park, but boldly commercialize tourism where development is necessary.”

Gyeongnam Province plans to expand tourism infrastructure such as the South Coast Island Highway, South Coast air tourism, and Jirisan mountain tourism, and to revitalize international events such as the Hadong World Tea Expo and the Sancheong World Traditional Medicine and Anti-Aging Expo.

The province will also operate themed tourist buses for residents and tourists, connecting various tourist sites to provide distinctive tourism products.

This year, the province plans to identify welfare crisis households in the Gyeongnam style, establish a one-team secretariat for major accident prevention between the province and cities/counties, promote an emergency medical control tower, establish a new medical school and expand its capacity, build a Gyeongnam-style public children’s rehabilitation hospital, and install and operate regional trauma centers.

After introducing last year’s provincial administration achievements and this year’s operational direction, Governor Park answered reporters’ questions.

Regarding the scale of Gyeongnam Province’s debt at the time of his inauguration, he said, “As of July last year, Gyeongnam’s debt was about 1.1 trillion KRW, and we repaid about 90 billion KRW last year and plan to repay a similar amount this year,” emphasizing, “If there is no special administrative demand, issuing debt again is inappropriate.”

He continued, “We will continue to repay debt, but if special administrative demands such as infectious disease prevention arise or if there is a budget absolutely necessary for residents, we will use it,” pledging flexible financial management.

Regarding the administrative integration of Busan and Gyeongnam, he explained, “An integration preparation team will be launched by January this year to collect opinions from city and provincial residents,” adding, “If support for integration is confirmed, an Integration Preparation Promotion Committee composed of political, economic, and public officials will carry out specific work and legal procedures for integration.”

Governor Park emphasized regarding Gaduk New Airport, “It must be made into a gateway airport comparable to Incheon Airport.”

He added that the runway length should be at least 3,800 meters or more, and there should be two runways to allow simultaneous takeoff and landing or to consider emergencies.

“If it is properly built using verified construction methods, there will be no further controversies,” he said.

When asked about his intention to run for the next presidential election, he flatly said, “I have no intention of returning to the central government.”

“Having worked as a politician in the local community for a long time and received much grace from the citizens, I thought the way to repay that was to take charge of the provincial administration,” he said, adding, “I consider properly revitalizing the provincial administration as my final service and will faithfully fulfill my role as governor.”

Regarding communication with residents, he said, “The province exists for the residents, but if public officials who should work for the residents are trapped in institutions, opportunities to hear the residents’ will are insufficient,” and answered, “On the last Monday of each month, among the four executive meetings held monthly, we will hold a residents’ meeting inviting residents to listen to their suggestions and proposals.”

On that day, Governor Park said, “A new era will open in which our province, which has been stagnant until now, will take a new leap,” adding, “We will strive to invigorate the Gyeongnam economy and raise the happiness index of residents so that living in Gyeongnam is rewarding.”

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