Wando-gun Achieves Major Goal with New Year's Motto 'Ilbichungcheon (一飛沖天)'

Through the New Year's Address, Presenting the 7 Major Military Administration Directions Including the Marine Healing Industry

On the 2nd, Shin Woo-cheol, the mayor of Wando County, stated in his New Year's address at the opening ceremony, “This year's New Year's theme is 일비충천 (Ilbi Chungcheon), meaning 'once you fly, you soar high to the sky and achieve great success.' Based on past achievements, I will do my best to lead the county administration so that the county can take off.”

He continued, “With the opening of the Wando Marine Healing Center, the first of its kind in Korea, the dawn of the marine healing era has begun. The results of large-scale national projects such as the National Subtropical Arboretum, the National Marine Fisheries Museum, and the Gwangju-Wando Expressway are becoming visible,” and expressed his gratitude to the public officials who made great efforts and the residents who supported them.

Mayor Shin presented seven major directions for county administration to achieve greater leaps forward.

First, by fully promoting the marine healing industry, we will overcome the crisis of local extinction and greatly enhance the value of Wando. Specifically, we plan to grow the marine healing industry into a unique sector by providing differentiated marine healing content utilizing Wando’s comparative advantages in marine resources such as seawater, seaweed, and tidal flats.

Additionally, by linking medical care, tourism, and the bio-industry, we aim to develop it into a high value-added industry. The resources consumed in marine healing will be supplied from Wando, using this as a driving force for the concurrent growth of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries.

Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor, is delivering a New Year's address at the 2024 opening ceremony.
[Photo by Wando County]

Second, we will create the entire county as an ‘Island of Healing’ to open the era of ten million tourists. By specializing the healing resources unique to each island, we will make all of Wando an ‘Island of Healing’ and link large-scale national projects such as the National Subtropical Arboretum and the National Marine Fisheries Museum with the healing industry to generate greater tourism synergy effects.

Third, we will successfully establish the marine bio-industry specialized in seaweed and abalone to create new income models for fishing villages. We will strengthen the industry-academia research system centered on the Marine Bio Joint Research Institute and the Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center, focusing on developing new materials based on seaweed and developing functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

Fourth, we will accelerate the revitalization of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries and promote sustainable future industries to respond to climate change. We will actively pursue the establishment of a future-oriented aquaculture system integrating big data and artificial intelligence technology, development and distribution of new varieties of abalone and seaweed, expansion of subtropical fruit cultivation, modernization of smart farms and livestock facilities, and strategic marketing and overseas market development.

Fifth, we will enhance the momentum of large-scale SOC projects and significantly improve living conditions so that residents can enjoy a better life. We will increase the driving force behind SOC projects such as the Gwangju-Wando Expressway, Wando-Goheung Coastal Tourist Road, and the second phase of the Nohwa-Soan Island Bridge to ensure they become catalysts for regional development. We also plan to promote urban regeneration New Deal projects, fishing village New Deal, construction of wide-area water supply networks, and LPG pipeline networks.

Sixth, by expanding thicker and more comprehensive welfare policies, we will create a warm local community. To establish an inclusive welfare environment enjoyed by all without leaving anyone behind, we will support senior citizen jobs and social activities, build welfare housing, create youth startup spaces, provide marriage congratulatory funds for young couples, childcare and parenting expenses for infants, and support costs for family visits and health checkups for marriage immigrants.

Seventh, we will devote all efforts to revitalizing the local economy, including support for low-income residents and small business owners. Along with financial cost and card fee support for small business owners and attracting large coastal fleets, we will ensure the successful hosting of three major sports events such as the Jeonnam Life Sports Festival and large-scale events and festivals like the Marine Healing Garden Festival to bring a positive breeze to the local economy.

Finally, Mayor Shin Woo-cheol said, “I will find opportunities even in crises and create definite changes to add happiness to the lives of residents,” and shared his New Year's resolution, adding, “Let us gather our wisdom and capabilities together so that our footsteps can open a greater future for Wando.”

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.