Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol Presents Seven Key Tasks for Next Year in Policy Speech

Marine Healing Industry and Marine Bio Industry Fully Launched

"Will Leap into the 'Second Jang Bogo Era'"

Shin Woo-cheol, the governor of Wando County, announced the direction of next year’s county administration during the 316th regular session of the Wando County Council on the 4th.

Governor Shin first expressed his gratitude to the 50,000 residents, saying, “This year was a year that fully demonstrated the capabilities of our citizens and the potential of Wando, with the opening of the nation’s first marine healing center putting the marine healing industry on track, the full-scale launch of the marine bioindustry, passing the preliminary feasibility study for the National Subtropical Arboretum, attracting the National Marine Fisheries Museum, selection of the second phase of the Gwangju-Wando Expressway as a preliminary feasibility study project, and the successful hosting of the Jeollanam-do Sports Festival.”

He continued, “We will respond innovatively to the rapidly changing times and dynamically promote seven core tasks next year to drive regional development.”

Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol is delivering a policy speech at the 316th regular session of the Wando County Council on the 4th.
[Photo by Wando County]

The first task is to overcome the risk of regional extinction and actively promote the marine healing industry that can enhance Wando’s value.

By utilizing Wando’s comparative advantage in marine resources, differentiated marine healing content will be provided to grow into a unique marine healing industry. All resources consumed in marine healing will be supplied from Wando, serving as a driving force for the co-growth of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries.

Through this, the plan is to create quality jobs and income, generating economic ripple effects to brighten Wando’s future.

The second task is to establish Korea’s only “Healing Island” and open the door to an era of 10 million tourists.

Efforts will be accelerated for large-scale national projects such as the National Subtropical Arboretum and the National Marine Fisheries Museum, with a total national budget of 300 billion KRW invested, and a “marine wellness tourism specialization strategy” unique to Wando will be prepared.

The third task is to successfully settle the marine bioindustry specialized in seaweed and abalone, creating a new income model for fishing villages by firmly establishing infrastructure such as research and mass production and enhancing competitiveness through new material development, aiming to soar as the marine bioindustry hub of the southwestern coastal region.

The fourth task is to accelerate the revitalization of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries and promote sustainable future industries in response to climate change.

Plans include building a future-type aquaculture system incorporating artificial intelligence technology, developing and distributing superior and new varieties responsive to climate change, accelerating entry into overseas markets, expanding subtropical fruit cultivation areas, and promoting smart farms and sixth industrialization.

The fifth task is to boost momentum for large-scale SOC projects such as the construction of the second phase of the Gwangju-Wando Expressway, the Wando-Goheung coastal tourist road, and the second phase of the Nohwa-Soan island bridge project, while striving to improve living conditions to enhance residents’ quality of life through urban regeneration and expansion of fishing village infrastructure.

The sixth task is to create a warm community by expanding “thicker and more comprehensive welfare policies” that everyone can enjoy?from seniors to youth, women, children, the disabled, and multicultural families. The seventh task is to devote all efforts to revitalizing the local economy.

In conclusion, Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “Looking bigger and farther ahead, we will focus administrative power on the marine healing industry and marine bioindustry, the construction of a wellness marine tourism city, the co-growth of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries, and revitalizing the local economy to leap forward into the second Jang Bogo era.”

Meanwhile, the county’s proposed budget for the new year submitted to the county council is 598 billion KRW, a 6.65% decrease from this year’s original budget.

Wando = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Kyung-pil just8440@asiae.co.kr

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