Yun Byeong-tae, Mayor of Naju, Holds Residents' Roundtable to Hear Grievances

Yoon Byung-tae, the mayor of Naju City, Jeollanam-do, who visits the village hall once a month in the evening, listened to the voices on the ground by visiting Namsan Village, the largest village with the most residents in Munpyeong-myeon, in July.

The city announced on the 18th that the 8th traveling village discussion was recently held at the Namsan Village Hall in Sanho-ri, Munpyeong-myeon.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju City held the 8th visiting village discussion meeting in Namsan Village, Munpyeong-myeon.
[Photo by Naju City]

The traveling village discussion is being promoted as a promise with citizens during the 8th term of the local government to listen to and resolve long-standing village issues, daily life difficulties that residents have endured without speaking out, and village wishes.

Namsan Village, where the 8th discussion was held, is located 1 km south of the Munpyeong-myeon area. Currently, about 80 households with approximately 120 residents live there.

Backed by Namsan, the an-san (案山, protective mountain) of Munpyeong-myeon, the village is known for its geography and scenery, earning a reputation as the best place to live, with the names ‘1 Namsan (南山)’, ‘2 Daesil (大實)’, and ‘3 Bullo (不老)’ passed down.

In particular, about 40 farming households currently cultivate the vast plains called Sanhodeul in front of the village, and the village has long been known as a place where wealthy farmers reside.

At the discussion, about 30 residents, including Jang Gap-su, the village chief, Han Geum-yong, the head of the senior citizens' association, and Song Myeong-hwa, the head of the women's association, attended and proposed village wish projects.

The residents requested Mayor Yoon to install a pumping station to supply agricultural water to Sanhodeul, repair the rain shelter at the village Usangak pavilion, repaint the village senior center and install rain shelters for the outdoor restrooms, create a simple resting area along the village walking trail, dredge Geumdang Reservoir and repair Oryun Reservoir, expand support for the supply of apple snails, and establish a disposal plan for discarded greenhouse shading nets.

Mayor Yoon said, “Having inspected the flooding at Sanhodeul caused by the heavy rain at the end of last month, I understand well the residents’ concerns about flooding due to heavy rain,” and added, “We will seek fundamental measures through consultations with related organizations such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Rural Community Corporation.”

He continued, “We will support the Usangak pavilion, senior center restroom rain shelters, and simple resting areas within an appropriate range, considering priorities and fairness,” and added, “We will also consult and promote dredging and repairs of the reservoirs with the Rural Community Corporation and promptly establish a plan for disposing of discarded shading nets, which are prohibited from incineration.”

Furthermore, he promised, “I thank the residents for their warm hospitality until late and for sharing their friendly conversations and difficulties, and I will strive to actively resolve the village’s wishes and concerns.”

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

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