Naju-si Hosts 'Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Council' at Forest Resources Research Institute

Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) held the 6th Regular Meeting of the Mayors and County Governors Council of the 8th Civilian Administration on the 12th at the Jeollanam-do Forest Resources Research Institute.

According to the city on the 13th, about 150 people, including heads and deputy heads of 22 local governments in the province and related officials, attended the regular meeting held at the Healing Center within the research institute, providing time for communication on current issues and mutual exchange between cities and counties.

The 6th Regular Meeting of the 8th Civilian Term Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Council Held, Commemorative Tree Planting Scene
[Photo by Naju City]

Starting with a pre-performance by the Naju City Choir, the meeting proceeded in the order of greetings by Park Woo-ryang, chairman of the council and mayor of Shinan County, a welcome speech by Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju City, followed by the presentation of commemorative gifts, a promotional video of Naju City and presentations of exemplary cases, resolution of policy proposals, and discussion of current issues.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said in his welcome speech, "It is very meaningful and grateful to hold the 6th regular meeting here in Naju, a city with 2,000 years of historical culture and a global energy hub, as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."

He added, "Let the 22 cities and counties establish a strong cooperative system like interconnected roots of a tree to overcome the crisis of population and local extinction, and create joyful changes by leveraging the strengths of Jeollanam-do."

Agenda items discussed included "Unification of Management Agencies for Exchange and Disposal of National Property" (Yeosu City), "Improvement Proposal for BF Certification System (Barrier-Free Certification)" (Goheung County), and "Preparation of a Common Protocol Manual for Cities and Counties" (Gangjin County). The proposed agenda items were unanimously agreed upon by all cities and counties to be submitted to central government agencies and Jeollanam-do.

The city attracted attention by presenting the "Establishment of an Integrated Odor Control Center" as an exemplary case to solve local odor problems.

The Integrated Odor Control Center, the first of its kind in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do local governments, operates as a control system based on a Geographic Information System (GIS) that monitors odor occurrences in real time 24/7 throughout the year and visualizes the data without any gaps.

In particular, dedicated personnel are assigned to the 24-hour control room to collect all odor data in real time through measurement sensors installed at major odor-emitting business sites.

The core of the system is to identify odor occurrences before complaints arise and immediately dispatch personnel to inspect the site. Simultaneously, automatic text messages are sent to the business sites to encourage self-reduction of odors.

After the meeting, the city showcased traditional Korean set meals prepared by Kang Jeong-sook, the 9th-generation head of Nampa Gotaek, and Naju Gomtang, a representative local dish, offering guests the authentic taste of the No. 1 food culture region in the southern provinces.

Following lunch, a commemorative tree planting ceremony was held. Through this, a tree symbolizing harmony and unity among the 22 cities and counties of Jeollanam-do took root at the Forest Resources Research Institute located in Sanpo-myeon, Naju City.

The commemorative tree is a "Red Oak" (Bulgasinamu). It is an evergreen species with excellent carbon storage capacity and is recorded as the material used for "Daejangjeon," a cannon weapon that broke enemy ships during the Japanese invasions of Korea in the Joseon Dynasty.

The roots of this tree were filled with soil sent from each city and county, adding meaning of coexistence and harmony among the cities and counties.

Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr

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