O Tae-wan Uiryeong County Governor "Saphilgwijung Pledge Fulfillment ... Center of Change"

Uiryeong-gun Holds 1st Anniversary Regular Meeting of the 8th Elected Term

Future Vision Revealed Through 'Message to the Residents'

O Tae-wan, the governor of Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, marked the first anniversary of the 8th local government administration. On the 3rd, at the July regular staff meeting held in the Uiryeong-gun Office conference room, Governor O read a letter to the citizens of Uiryeong under the theme “One Year of the 8th Local Government Administration in Uiryeong and the Next 50 Years.”

Governor O evaluated, “The sprouts of change promised in the 8th local government administration under the slogan ‘The Beginning of Change’ are sprouting faster than expected. The changes planned for 10 years in Uiryeong have shown results in just one year,” and likened the historic securing of 134.8 billion KRW in national and provincial funds and the opening of the “5 trillion KRW budget era” to an “oasis” for thirsty Uiryeong, and the confirmation of the construction of the “Uiryeong 4.26 Memorial Park” to a “handkerchief” for Uiryeong, where tears never dried.

O Tae-wan, the governor of Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, marked the first anniversary of the 8th popular election.
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

He especially emphasized the four major pledges called “Sapilgwijeong” that were promised during the election period and are now being implemented.

“Sapilgwijeong” is an acronym derived from the first letters of each pledge: ▲Expansion of a well-connected arterial road network ▲Strengthening necessary and essential welfare ▲“Rural Revival” through a return-to-farming and rural settlement project ▲Selection for government public contest projects worth “100 billion KRW.” It also reflects Governor O’s determination to take the “right path” and serves as a core pledge to revitalize Uiryeong.

Governor O stated, “The promise to open the era of the Uiryeong-eup highway, the central axis of the well-connected road network, is currently being pursued through the inclusion of the extension of the Jincheon-Hapcheon highway via Uiryeong-eup to Goseong in the national road network revision plan.”

In the 2022 Gyeongsangnam-do social survey, among 18 cities and counties, Uiryeong ranked first in satisfaction in six welfare categories, earning high marks for its welfare policy under the banner of “Walking Together with the Vulnerable.”

Last year, the number of young households moving into farming and rural settlements in the county reached 377, an increase of 140 households compared to the previous year, gaining a reputation as a hub for return-to-farming and rural settlement. The government public contest project selection for “1000 billion KRW” exceeded the goal of 134.8 billion KRW, presenting an excellent final result.

Regarding the future vision, Governor O said, “Like other small local governments, Uiryeong-gun is also facing difficulties due to population decline,” and added, “We will seek a turnaround in population inflow through a ‘dual-pull strategy’ for economic development focusing on the Uiryeong-eup administrative town and Burim-myeon industrial complex development, and by creating a youth-friendly city where young people stay and return.”

He also stated, “We will draw a big picture for economic revitalization by leveraging the opening of the Gyeongnam Future Education Center, which attracts an average of 400,000 students, parents, and tourists annually, as a major opportunity, and by concretizing a special ‘premium tourism’ that feels the ‘wealth energy’ through the connection between Sotbawi Rock and the global group Samsung.”

Governor O said, “The past year was a time to confirm the results of the path we chose and to gain confidence,” and added, “In the second year, we will mark the pinnacle of a ‘better Uiryeong’ with definite changes so that the citizens can feel and empathize with these achievements even more.”

Meanwhile, before the regular meeting that day, Governor O and senior officials paid respects in sequence at the Chung-hon Tower, Chung-iksa Shrine, and Baeksan Memorial Monument, signaling the new beginning of the second year of the 8th local government administration.

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