Yun Byeong-tae, Mayor of Naju, Urges Thorough Preparation for Marathon and Other Events

Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju City, Jeollanam-do, urged public officials on the 17th to thoroughly prepare for large-scale events hosted by the city, including the marathon competition.

Mayor Yoon said at a recent issue review meeting, “The 2023 Naju Festival, which integrates various festivals, events, and cultural performances scheduled for October, along with the marathon competition featuring runners from across the country, is expected to be a golden opportunity to enhance the regional brand.”

Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju.
[Photo by Naju City]

Referring to the recently concluded 2023 World Scout Jamboree as an example, Mayor Yoon emphasized, “With only about two months left for preparation, which is very tight, all departments must concentrate their capabilities to the fullest,” and urged, “Under the vice mayor’s leadership, please check the progress daily and prepare thoroughly to achieve results.”

He added, “Citizen cooperation is extremely important for the successful hosting of the event,” and requested active public promotion and encouragement of participation.

The city plans to hold the integrated festival titled ‘2023 Naju Festival, Yeongsan River is Alive’ from October 20 to 29 for 10 days at the Yeongsan Riverbank Sports Park area.

This festival is designed as a representative festival integrating five festivals and events, including the Mahan Cultural Festival, Urban-Rural Win-Win Festival, Citizens’ Day Ceremony, and Naju Installation Art Festival.

Prior to the integrated festival, the ‘2023 MBN Naju Marathon Competition’ will be held for the first time on October 8.

On the Yeongsan River riverside road, which boasts pristine natural scenery, individual events such as the half marathon (21.0975 km), 10 km, and 5 km races will be held, along with a team (group) half marathon event.

Naju City is currently recruiting participants online through the ‘MBN Naju Marathon Competition’ website until the 10th of next month.

Meanwhile, Mayor Yoon also requested thorough measures to prevent secondary damage through the prompt repair of potholes along the national roads caused by heavy rains during the recent monsoon season, as well as safety measures for visitors to the Geumseongsan ecological water playground.

He emphasized the economic difficulties faced by citizens due to the soaring oil prices surpassing 1,700 won per liter and instructed public officials to devise special measures to revitalize the local commercial district, including prioritizing the use of local stores.

Explaining the deteriorating local economic conditions, he stressed strict expenditure management due to the local government’s poor revenue structure.

Mayor Yoon said, “While revenue conditions are becoming increasingly difficult, expenditures seem to be made without much consideration,” and added, “When selecting public contest projects and granting subsidies for various service contracts and projects of institutions and organizations, the purpose and outcomes of the projects must be thoroughly verified to ensure that the insufficient budget is used efficiently.”

Furthermore, he ordered proactive responses by linking the pet-related industries such as ‘pet food’ and ‘pet healthcare,’ recently announced as national strategic industries by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, with the establishment of a pet theme park, a pledge project of the 8th local government administration.

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

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