"Toward a Hopeful Cheongsong, Rising Together"... Mayor Yoon Kyunghee Presents Vision for Next Year

Published 01 Dec.2025 13:23(KST)

On December 1, Yoon Kyunghee, Mayor of Cheongsong County in North Gyeongsang Province, delivered a policy speech at the 285th regular session of the Cheongsong County Council, announcing the direction of county administration for 2026. He pledged a new leap forward toward "a hopeful Cheongsong, rising together," overcoming the pain of wildfire damage.

Yoon Kyunghee, Mayor of Cheongsong County, Presents Vision for Next Year in Policy Speech. Provided by Cheongsong County

Mayor Yoon stated, "As the unprecedented damage to homes, crops, and other aspects of daily life was caused by the massive wildfire that occurred in March this year, restoring the lives of affected residents will be our top priority." He announced plans to promote a 45.5 billion won "Special Regeneration Project for Wildfire-Affected Areas" in the Bugok-ri area of Cheongsong-eup, aiming to newly improve infrastructure and living convenience facilities.

He also presented various plans to revitalize the local economy, including the recreation of the Dalgiyaksoo Market district, the creation of a healing and wellness center at the former Siryang Elementary School, and the establishment of the Cheongsong Outdoor Golf Practice Range.

In the agricultural sector, the county will expand the distribution of smart house and ultra-high-density multi-axis cultivation technologies to respond to the climate crisis, and strengthen the foundation for scientific farming centered on the Golden Apple Research Complex. Efforts will also be made to enhance distribution efficiency through the activation of an online auction system, increase farm income by supporting packaging materials and delivery costs, and actively implement policies to resolve rural labor shortages, such as supporting the settlement of young farmers and expanding the employment of foreign seasonal workers.

In the welfare sector, the focus will be on improving welfare for the elderly, including enhancing the environment of senior centers, expanding the "Happy Table" meal program, and increasing job opportunities for seniors in response to the super-aged society. Customized welfare for each stage of life will also be strengthened, such as home health care, integrated support for childbirth and childcare, and expanding experiential programs for children and youth. In particular, the "8282 Rapid Civil Complaint Response Team" will be operated to quickly identify households in crisis and build a robust welfare safety net.

For the local economy, the county will work to strengthen the virtuous cycle of local consumption through the Cheongsong Sarang local currency, and boost local vitality by constructing public rental housing in Wolmak-ri and Jin-an-ri to provide residential bases for young people and workers. Mayor Yoon emphasized, "We will leap forward as a future industrial city that attracts young people," through the establishment of an AI Anti-Aging Research Center and the development of an anti-aging industry based on local agricultural products.

In the culture and tourism sector, the Cheongsong Apple Festival, which attracted more than 500,000 visitors, will be developed into a global festival, and an apple-themed unique accommodation complex will be created on the site of the former Juwangsan Elementary School to expand stay-type tourism. In addition, the county will develop differentiated tourism content by linking the "Forest of White Porcelain" and global geopark tourism resources.

To improve the urban and residential environment, the county will promote large-scale public projects such as the Deok-ri Rural Space Improvement Project (18 billion won), the Rural Agreement Project (34 billion won), and the Disaster-Prone Area Improvement Project (46 billion won) to create a safe and pleasant living environment. Efforts to improve living conditions in vulnerable areas and to bury overhead power lines underground will also continue.

The total budget for 2026 is set at 545 billion won, an increase of 46.4 billion won (9.3%) compared to the previous year.

Mayor Yoon stated, "The budget is not just a number, but a promise to the residents and a practical plan for the future," adding, "We will strategically manage our finances to ensure the happiness of our residents and a new leap forward for the region."