[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jae-gil] Shim Deok-seop, the governor of Gochang County, met with Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, to discuss strategies for attracting the ‘Tidal Flat World Natural Heritage Conservation Headquarters.’
According to the county on the 14th, Shim Deok-seop visited the Jeonbuk Provincial Office the previous day to meet with Governor Kim Kwan-young. This was their second meeting following the recent Mayors and Governors Council.
Governor Shim said, “The submission deadline for the application is approaching,” and requested, “Since the applicant is the metropolitan local government, I ask Jeonbuk Province to provide more wholehearted support and a strategic approach to work together on the attraction.”
Governor Kim promised, “We will concentrate all our capabilities to ensure that the headquarters is definitely attracted to Jeonbuk Province through mutual cooperation with Gochang County.”
He added, “I send encouragement and support to Governor Shim and the citizens of Gochang who are conducting attraction activities with an urgent spirit to overcome stagnation and uphold the pride of Jeonbuk Province.”
The Gochang tidal flats are located in the middle of the ‘Korean Tidal Flats’ World Natural Heritage site, and geographically, they offer efficient management. The project site includes 550,000 pyeong of salt farm land planned for wetland restoration, which has been purchased, providing potential for future facility expansion.
In particular, it is evaluated as the optimal site for the World Heritage Conservation Headquarters due to its greatest advantage of being a comprehensive gift set rich in biodiversity, which can be directly experienced by walking up to 5 km on foot.
However, there are concerns that political power dynamics might be at play as Gochang competes fiercely with three other metropolitan local governments?Chungcheong (Seocheon) and Jeonnam (Shinan)?and as the evaluation criteria were partially changed during the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ announcement process.
In response, Jeonbuk Province and Gochang County have continuously conducted relay visits to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and political circles, fully explaining Jeonbuk’s advantages and the justification for attraction, and requesting a fair evaluation.
Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jae-gil baekok@asiae.co.kr
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