Son Byeong-bok, Uljin County Governor, Honored with 'Person of the Year in Korea' Award

Received Grand Prize in Innovation Administration Following Local Administration

Recognized for Contributions to Selection of National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex Site and Overcoming Wildfire Damage

Son Byeong-bok, the governor of Uljin County, received the Grand Prize in the Local Autonomy Innovation Administration category at the ‘2023 Korea Person of the Year Awards’ ceremony held at the Korea Press Center on the 21st.

Son Byeong-bok, Uljin County Governor (center), who received the Grand Prize at the 2023 Korea Person of the Year Awards.

Organized by the National Assembly Correspondents' Association and others, the ‘2023 Korea Person of the Year Awards’ annually honors individuals who have demonstrated a strong sense of duty and made innovative efforts for national and social development throughout the year.

Governor Son strategically revised the direction of the existing ‘Hydrogen Demonstration Complex Development’ project to a Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex and actively engaged in attracting hydrogen-related companies by signing MOUs.

Through this, Uljin was selected as a candidate site for the Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex, which can produce hydrogen?a new alternative in the carbon-neutral era?by utilizing Uljin’s non-transmission power, thereby laying the foundation to enhance both regional development and national competitiveness.

In addition, he devoted his utmost efforts to restoring areas damaged by wildfires and helping disaster victims return to their daily lives, while continuing efforts to turn the damage from large-scale wildfires into new opportunities, thereby creating chances to revitalize the local economy.

Furthermore, he was recognized for playing a significant role in preparing for the era of 10 million tourists in Uljin, the great transformation of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, establishing people-centered welfare systems, and promoting administration that communicates with and serves the residents, thereby laying the groundwork to overcome the crisis of local extinction and lead the era of local government.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Son said, “I have been contemplating what is most needed for Uljin County, which faces the risk of extinction due to aging and low birth rates, and have worked to create opportunities for development through innovation. I will never forget that all achievements made by Uljin come from the united strength of its residents, and I will continue to move forward with the residents toward the single goal of Uljin’s development.”

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