Gurye-gun Ranks First in Jeonnam for National Happiness Index

Life Satisfaction and Health, Environment, Safety Indicators Overwhelmingly High

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yuk Mi-seok] Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, received high evaluations in 6 out of 8 indicators including life satisfaction, ranking 10th nationwide and 1st in Jeollanam-do among basic local governments.

At the ‘6th National Quality of Life Measurement Forum’ held by Statistics Korea on the 25th of last month, the National Assembly Future Research Institute unveiled the ‘Korea Happiness Map,’ which surveyed the happiness index by local governments in South Korea.

Jeollanam-do ranked 7th among the 17 metropolitan local governments.

The Korea Happiness Map was created based on the national happiness index derived from eight indicators: health, safety, environment, economy, education, relationships and social participation, leisure, and life satisfaction.

Gurye-gun received high evaluations in six indicators: health, safety, environment, relationships and social participation, leisure, and life satisfaction. The economy and education indicators were found to be at a low level.

Professor Koo Kyo-jun of Korea University’s Department of Public Administration and his research team measured the happiness index of 228 cities, counties, and districts, categorizing them from A grade (top 20%) to E grade (bottom 20%). In Jeollanam-do, Gurye-gun, Boseong-gun, Hwasun-gun, Hampyeong-gun, and Jangseong-gun received A grades.

Among local governments nationwide, Jongno-gu in Seoul ranked first in happiness index, Jung-gu in Daegu second, and Jung-gu in Seoul third. Following were Gwacheon-si in Gyeonggi, Gangnam-gu in Seoul, Yuseong-gu in Daejeon, Seocho-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul, Dong-gu in Gwangju, and Gurye-gun in Jeollanam-do.

Six areas in the metropolitan area were included in the top 10, and two local governments from Gwangju and Jeollanam-do were selected. Among city-level units, Gwacheon-si was selected, and among county-level units, Gurye-gun was the only one chosen.

Gurye-gun cited its outstanding natural environment as the secret. It is home to Jirisan, Korea’s first national park, with the Seomjin River flowing through the city, producing the highest levels of phytoncides and negative ions in the country. The county has adopted the brand slogan ‘The Road to Nature’ and pursues the happiness of its residents in harmony with nature.

Lee Jung-hwan referred to Gurye as the ‘Land of Three Greats and Three Beauties’ in his book Taekriji, calling it the most livable place. The three greats are Jirisan, Seomjin River, and Gurye fields; the three beauties are the beautiful scenery, abundant harvests, and generous hospitality.

Gurye-gun ranks second nationwide in longevity indicators and is recognized as the area with the lowest cancer incidence rate in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do. It is an eco-friendly organic farming city hosting the country’s first eco-friendly organic food cluster, ‘Gurye Nature Dream Park.’

County Governor Kim Soon-ho said, “We will do our best to become the happiest city by continuously communicating with residents,” adding, “To improve the lacking economy and education indicators, we will thoroughly implement policies such as creating an eco-friendly organic farming complex town and establishing Gurye-style education through the ‘Gurye Education Community,’ a public-private-academic education governance.”