Kim Sun-ho, Gurye County Governor, "I Will Do My Best to Make Gurye a Happy Place"

[Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yuk Mi-seok] Kim Soon-ho, the governor of Gurye County, presented the budget plan for next year to the council at the 277th regular meeting of the Gurye County Council held on the 23rd and outlined the direction of county administration in his policy speech.

On this day, Governor Kim Soon-ho stated, “This year was above all a year in which we concentrated the county’s capabilities to respond to flood damage and the COVID-19 crisis,” adding, “We are wisely overcoming the unprecedented disasters together with all residents through emergency restoration, disaster relief payments, urging compensation for damages, establishing permanent preventive measures and securing budgets, and COVID-19 quarantine.”

He continued, “Despite the complex crises of flood damage and COVID-19, there were also hopeful achievements,” saying, “We achieved concrete results even amid difficulties, such as being selected as a livable city in the National Happiness Index evaluation announced by the National Assembly Future Research Institute, registering Gurye Arboretum as a public arboretum of Jeollanam-do, constructing national rental apartments and Maechun Library, being selected as an excellent institution in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s productivity evaluation, winning the Korea SNS Award for two consecutive years, and receiving the Korea Internet Communication Award.”

Governor Kim Soon-ho emphasized, “The budget plan for next year totals 313.9 billion won, primarily focusing on full-scale response to flood restoration and COVID-19 quarantine, and placing emphasis on rational resource allocation for future growth engines and social safety nets in line with the government’s economic stimulus measures.”

The governor stated, “We plan to establish permanent measures for flood restoration by maintaining infrastructure and living SOC, and actively support restoration in the private sector as well,” adding, “We will also actively respond to flood compensation issues so that residents can return to their daily lives as soon as possible.”

There are also plans to actively promote policies to revitalize the local economy. The market facilities will be modernized on the 5th, and local gift certificates will be issued to help stabilize the management of small business owners. Future-oriented companies such as healing clusters will be attracted. The plan includes expanding public sector jobs and hosting sports competitions to revitalize the stagnant local economy.

He emphasized creating an attractive residential environment. Through planned projects, the urban functions of Gurye-eup will be improved, and new villages and country houses will be developed to attract urban residents. In line with the government’s Green New Deal policy, plans include establishing climate change measures, building a plastic upcycle center, and promoting eco-friendly automobile policies.

Governor Kim Soon-ho said, “We plan to create a forest complex recreation area centered on Jirisan Garden and develop an ecological park and circular trails utilizing the Seomjin River resources,” adding, “We will attract more tourists by holding seasonal festivals and do our best to bring the long-awaited Jirisan cable car project to fruition.”

He stressed a diversification strategy for agriculture. Plans include establishing an eco-friendly organic farming complex town, actively promoting the Rural New Vitality Plus project, introducing smart farm technology agriculture, and supporting the cultivation of income crops.

COVID-19 quarantine will remain an important task next year, with plans to build a new infectious disease control center and install a respiratory specialty clinic to improve efficiency and convenience. Non-face-to-face mobile healthcare projects and shingles vaccinations will be promoted, and a Happy Family Complex Center will be built to develop it as a family welfare hub facility.

The county will establish educational governance involving the county, education office, village autonomy committees, and education experts, and operate various educational programs utilizing local resources.

Finally, he expressed his determination, saying, “2021 is an important year to overcome crises and boost economic vitality, and I will do my utmost to meet, discuss, and unite to create a happy Gurye.”