Country-specific discussions on the 20th-21st ... Upgrading development strategies through consulting and comprehensive discussions on 50 projects
Pohang City held a discussion session on development strategies and key projects for the 8th term of the elected government with former Secretary-General of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Koo Yoon-cheol.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Pohang City, Gyeongbuk Province, held a discussion session on the 21st, following the 20th, with former Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yoon-cheol to establish development strategies for the 8th elected administration and to successfully promote key projects.
In the morning, discussions were held regarding the promotion strategies of key projects under the jurisdiction of the Agricultural Technology Center, Job Economy Bureau, and Green City Project Group. From 2 p.m., a comprehensive discussion session was conducted, presided over by Mayor Lee Kang-deok and former Chief Koo, with participation from all department and division heads.
In the discussion, the Agricultural Technology Center presented major key projects including ▲establishment of rental-type vertical farms ▲creation of a pet culture center ▲construction of an export logistics center. The Job Economy Bureau explained ▲secondary battery workforce training platform ▲designation of a global battery innovation special zone ▲establishment of a research-oriented medical school at POSTECH ▲creation of a hydrogen fuel cell cluster ▲construction of an international exhibition and convention center. The Green City Project Group introduced ▲creation of green open spaces ▲development of the Homigot Peninsula forest welfare complex ▲restoration of the Hyeongsan River aquatic ecosystem.
While explaining the project plans, the city expressed difficulties encountered during project implementation such as regulatory relaxation issues, preparation for government public contests, securing national funding, expansion of new government ministry projects, exclusion from total project cost management, and problems arising from the dualization of ministry project departments, seeking advice from former Chief Koo.
In response, former Chief Koo Yoon-cheol stated, “Through this discussion, I felt there is somewhat of a gap between the government, which oversees policies, and local governments that execute them. The government must also strive to understand local realities through continuous communication,” and emphasized, “Since similar projects are being implemented nationwide to secure national funding, it is important to prepare a clear justification reflecting Pohang’s unique characteristics and strengths so that the state inevitably supports it.”
In the afternoon, a comprehensive discussion session was held with all department and division heads attending to share the results of discussions on 50 key projects across 9 sectors over two days and to improve sector-specific development strategies. During the session, various questions were asked to learn from former Chief Koo’s experience and know-how in diverse fields.
Regarding major questions and advice, former Chief Koo said, “By continuously communicating with companies using personal networks, Pohang’s strengths should be highlighted, and to solve the biggest obstacle to regional investment?securing talent?universities should be consulted to establish new departments,” and added, “To secure national funding projects, since ministries emphasize the specificity, preparedness, feasibility, and effectiveness of projects when selecting target regions, the responsible public official must become the top expert in that field and regularly seek expert advice to firmly establish the rationale.”
Concluding the discussion, former Chief Koo said, “The core of national balanced development is to grow local industries into world-class ones and strengthen urban capabilities. Pohang has been steel industry-centered, but it seems to have well prepared strategies for new industries such as secondary batteries, hydrogen, and bio for the future,” and affirmed, “If technology grows further and talent development continues based on this, large-scale corporate investment will become active, and combined with organic communication between local experts and citizens, Pohang will soon be able to leap into a world-class city.”
Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “The concentration of population and companies in the metropolitan area is accelerating, increasing difficulties for local cities, but we will thoroughly prepare for the next 100 years by completing new industries and drastically improving urban living conditions,” and expressed, “Despite a busy schedule, I sincerely thank former Chief Koo for visiting Pohang over two days, sharing practical know-how on responding to central government ministries and securing national funding, and carefully reviewing Pohang’s key projects.”
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