Goheung-gun 'Regional Development Forum' Successfully Concluded

2030 Goheung Population Target of 100,000 Firmly Set

Gong Young-min, the governor of Goheung County, announced that from the 17th to the 29th, he successfully concluded the “Regional Development Forum with Residents” held across 16 towns and townships to achieve a population of 100,000 in Goheung.

Held for the second time following last year, the forum departed from the usual format focused mainly on small-scale local development project proposals. Instead, it was conducted as a discussion where the governor and residents exchanged opinions on themes related to regional development.

[Photo by Goheung-gun]

Before the main discussion, Governor Gong Young-min also took time to present the achievements made together with residents during the 8th elected term and the blueprint for Goheung’s future.

The key points included ▲designation of a space launch vehicle industrial cluster with a national budget investment of 1.6 trillion KRW, designation of a 520,000-pyeong scale national industrial complex for space launch vehicles, and promotion of the first phase of a drone manned open field demonstration project to establish a space and aerospace-centered city ▲expansion of metropolitan transportation networks such as the construction of the Gwangju~Goheung-eup~Naro Space Center highway and the railway between Beolgyo and Goheung (Doyang) ▲expansion and establishment of a Goheung-style smart farm innovation valley for agriculture, fisheries, and livestock covering 600,000 to 700,000 pyeong ▲the dawn of the 1 trillion KRW budget era ▲achieving a comprehensive grade 2 in the 2023 public institution integrity evaluation, the highest ever ▲signing a business agreement to establish the Nokdong New Port logistics center between Goheung, Jeollanam-do Province, and Jeju ▲achieving 100 million USD in agricultural and marine product exports ▲creating conditions for senior citizens to work without waiting lists, among various projects aimed at Goheung’s change and development.

Projects requested by residents were also carefully received in advance, and the governor personally responded. A total of 80 projects were proposed across the 16 towns and townships during the on-site sessions.

Considering residents’ safety and urgency, some projects were reflected in the first supplementary budget of this year, while large-scale projects requiring significant funding or administrative procedures were promised to be included in next year’s main budget for implementation.

During the main forum, discussions on various themes were held by town and township with the goal of “achieving a population of 100,000 in Goheung by 2030.”

Residents familiar with local conditions selected the topics themselves and presented diverse opinions to concretize the development potential of each town and township, creating a lively forum for discussion.

Main discussion topics included ▲establishing a hinterland city following the creation of a space launch vehicle industrial cluster in Dongil-myeon ▲early promotion of the national space industrial complex in Bongrae-myeon ▲construction of communal housing for returnees to farming and rural areas in Dodeok-myeon ▲building a healing complex space around the Yuja Festival site in Pungyang-myeon ▲selection and concentration of major tourist spots in Geumsan-myeon to cluster attractions and entertainment ▲tourism and population inflow plans utilizing Sorokdo and Nanum Training Center ▲tourism development of Haechangman Auto Camping Site in Podu-myeon ▲development and branding of specialty products using gim (seaweed) and greens in Dohwa-myeon ▲utilizing tourism resources in Yeongnam-myeon to attract residents and improve living conditions ▲nurturing distinctive local schools in Jeomam-myeon ▲activation of tourism resources such as the Udo pedestrian bridge in Namyang-myeon ▲regional economic revitalization through investment attraction and food development in Gwaryeok-myeon ▲establishment of a smart large-scale facility horticulture complex in Daeseo-myeon ▲strengthening industrial competitiveness through development of the Donggang specialized agro-industrial complex in Donggang-myeon ▲attracting arboretums and art museums and creating a cultural and arts village in Duwon-myeon ▲and construction of the Goheung Administrative Complex Center in Goheung-eup, among other discussions that reflected the unique characteristics of each town and township to build the foundation for achieving a population of 100,000.

Governor Gong Young-min said, “This year’s Regional Development Forum with Residents, following last year, boldly abandoned the traditional town and township tour format and was held in a free discussion style to have a more productive and development-oriented time. I was able to feel once again the residents’ passion and will for regional development,” adding, “I thank all residents who participated in the forum and will frequently hold opportunities to empathize and communicate with residents.”

He continued, “At the foundation of all policy implementation is the unity of residents,” and added, “To achieve ‘a population of 100,000 in Goheung by 2030,’ I ask all residents to unite with one heart and mind to support Goheung’s change and development, and to give much support and encouragement to the county administration.”

The county government plans to continuously manage the residents’ proposed projects through relevant departments to ensure proper implementation, and to carefully review ways to incorporate the various opinions presented at the forum into county administration, thereby expanding diverse communication channels with residents.

Goheung = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr

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