Sang-Ik Lee, Hampyeong County Governor, Honored with Korea Local Autonomy Development Award

Kumho Tire Factory Relocation Confirmed, Laying Foundation for Regional Development 'Recognition of Contributions'

County Governor Lee: "Will Lead Efforts to Discover Policies That Residents Feel and Improve Quality of Life"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Lee Sang-ik, former mayor of Hampyeong County, Jeonnam, achieved the great honor of winning the Grand Prize in the Basic Division at the ‘2022 Korea Local Autonomy Development Awards’.

According to the county on the 5th, Mayor Lee Sang-ik received the Grand Prize in the Basic Division at the ‘2022 Korea Local Autonomy Development Awards’ held at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall Convention Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, that afternoon.

The ‘Korea Local Autonomy Development Awards’ are given to members of the National Assembly, local government heads, superintendents of education, and local council members who have devoted themselves to the development of local autonomy in areas such as local administration, educational autonomy, and local finance.

The awards are hosted by the Korea Local Autonomy Development Institute and sponsored by the Korean Association for Local Autonomy Studies.

In its 6th year, Mayor Lee was selected in the Basic Division, which recognizes only six local government heads nationwide, acknowledging his contributions. He is the only recipient among local government heads in the Jeonnam region, making the award especially meaningful.

Since taking office as the 7th elected mayor of Hampyeong County in 2020, Mayor Lee has been highly evaluated for laying the foundation for regional industrial development, including securing the relocation of Kumho Tire’s Gwangju factory to Hampyeong and expanding the hinterland industrial complex.

In particular, his efforts to transform the area into a stay-type tourist destination, increase non-tax revenue through the tourism resource development of Hampyeong Expo Park, and expand the Hampyeong County Talent Development Scholarship to nurture local talent were recognized as major achievements.

Mayor Lee Sang-ik said, “The Local Autonomy Development Award is the result of the county residents’ interest and support in the county’s efforts for the region.” He added, “I will continue to actively communicate with the residents to discover and implement new policies that residents can feel, and do my best to contribute to improving the quality of life for the residents.”