Suncheon City Holds Policy Debate for Leap to First-Class Suncheon

A Heated Discussion Session for Regional Development of the 8th Local Government Term Hosted by Suncheon Gyeongsillyeon

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that on the 28th, it held a policy discussion titled "Leap to a New Future First-Class Suncheon" at the Suncheon Economic Justice Practice Citizens' Coalition meeting room.

The discussion, which lasted about 100 minutes with the participation of over 50 people including Suncheon Economic Justice Practice Citizens' Coalition, civic groups, and citizens, began with a keynote presentation by Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu and proceeded with discussions and Q&A on the policies and administrative directions of Suncheon City in the 8th local government term.

Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu, who gave the keynote presentation, spoke about the roles of the mayor, public officials, and citizens for Suncheon's development, introduced the experience and process of branding Suncheon as the "Ecological Capital of Korea" 14 years ago, presented a vision to overcome local extinction, and outlined future strategies for first-class Suncheon aiming to challenge new national firsts following the designation of the first national garden.

In response to questions about budget securing plans for pledged and current projects, he stated that projects would be implemented annually to avoid financial pressure by efficiently managing the budget, and that political efforts would be made to secure funds from the central government.

Regarding questions about permanent policies for youth, he mentioned fostering youth farmers commuting from the city by not only promoting smart farms but also supplying affordable rental housing for young people.

He also explained that the attraction of a medical school would be pursued through a two-track approach involving legislative activities with the Medical Association, while specializing local medical institutions in specific fields to establish a public emergency medical system capable of responding to urgent situations.

Meanwhile, the Economic Justice Practice Citizens' Coalition proposed to Suncheon City ▲the introduction of a policy evaluation system as an A/S concept for policies ▲expansion of substantial citizen participation in major city policies ▲important policy decisions through practical deliberation meetings ▲expansion of prior information disclosure systems ▲policy development to increase tax revenue.

Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu said, "I am grateful to the Economic Justice Practice Citizens' Coalition for providing a place to discuss policies for the development of Suncheon City," and added, "We will actively review the good policies and suggestions proposed to reflect them in city administration."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr