Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu Holds 'Time for Dialogue with Geochang Residents'

Communication with Geochang Residents by Gyeongnam Governor after 7 Years, Presenting Provincial Administration Vision

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province is having a conversation session with the residents of Geochang County.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] On the 19th, Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, visited Geochang County and held a “Dialogue Time with Geochang Residents” at the Sangsalmi Hall of the Geochang Cultural Center to strengthen win-win cooperation between Geochang County and the province.

The event was attended by about 200 people, including County Governor Goo In-mo, Gyeongsangnam-do Council members Kim Il-su and Park Joo-eon, Chairman and members of the County Council Lee Hong-hee, heads of institutions and organizations, and residents. The program proceeded with the presentation of the provincial government vision, reports on county administration issues, residents’ suggestions, and a Q&A session.

This visit was arranged for Geochang County and Gyeongnam Province to move forward together toward the future, to listen to the vivid voices of residents on site, and to reflect them in provincial administration.

It has been seven years since the Gyeongnam Governor last visited Geochang County for a “Dialogue Time with Residents” in 2015. Under the slogan of the 8th popular election term, “Vibrant Gyeongnam, Happy Residents,” the governor is touring 18 cities and counties to create a communication channel with residents, with Geochang County being the fifth stop.

County Governor Goo In-mo said, “In a short period, winds of change and innovation in provincial administration are blowing across many fields,” and added, “I ask for the establishment of a cornerstone to develop the underdeveloped western Gyeongnam through the promotion of administrative integration of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong). I also thank Governor Park Wan-su for personally visiting Geochang County to hear the vivid voices of Geochang residents.”

Governor Park Wan-su responded, “I am grateful for the warm welcome from the attending residents. Visiting the county in person, I could feel that the residents, centered on County Governor Goo In-mo, are united and working hard for regional development. I believe that being elected as governor carries great expectations to work diligently for the development of the province and its residents. I will listen to the voices of the attending residents and ensure sufficient planning and implementation.”

In the subsequent report on Geochang County’s issues, County Governor Goo In-mo explained the county’s current matters, including the establishment of the Geochang-type Medical Welfare Town, attraction of a national research institute for the elevator industry, creation of a wellness tourism hub at Gamaksan Mountain, and the development of the 2nd Changpowon. He requested active support from the province and also proposed support for the creation of the premium Wicheoncheon Stream and the expansion project of the all-weather Jokgu field at Geochang Sports Park.

Residents attending the dialogue with the governor actively proposed various suggestions for the development of Geochang County.

These included: ▲ Establishing a mecca for stay-type forest recreation in northwestern Gyeongnam linking Jirisan, Deogyusan, and Gayasan Mountains ▲ Early commencement of the Jincheon-Yeongdong-Hapcheon highway ▲ Construction of a gymnasium for the disabled ▲ Expansion of planned management areas ▲ Support for the construction cost of Geochang County’s cremation facility ▲ Support for attracting large companies to Geochang Elevator Valley ▲ Relocation and attraction of the Gyeongsangnam-do Talent Development Institute ▲ Establishment of Theater Arts and Artificial Intelligence (AI) departments at Geochang University ▲ Participation of Geochang County in the public-private consultative body for the Hwanggang wide-area water intake facility ▲ Strategic development of apple future-type orchard clusters ▲ Support for startup centers and Gyeongnam credit guarantee funds.

Governor Park Wan-su attentively listened to the residents’ suggestions during the approximately two-and-a-half-hour dialogue session, actively communicated, and received great responses from attendees with sincere and clear answers.

He also expressed his determination and philosophy regarding future provincial administration, conveying his commitment to work for the benefit of Gyeongnam Province with residents’ trust and confidence.

The attending Geochang residents evaluated, “We empathized with the future development of the province and county, and confirmed that Geochang County can take the lead in the newly advancing Gyeongnam, restoring Gyeongnam’s pride and overcoming regional crises such as economic stagnation and population decline.”