O Do-chang, Yeongyang County Governor's New Year's Address, "Gathering the Hearts of All Residents to Create a Hopeful Yeongyang"

Odoh Chang, the governor of Yeongyang County, delivering a New Year's address, pledging to unite the hearts of all residents to create a hopeful Yeongyang.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] Oh Do-chang, the mayor of Yeongyang County, conveyed his New Year's resolution through a New Year's address on January 2, stating, "In the new year, we will unite the hearts of the residents to create a hopeful Yeongyang."

Mayor Oh evaluated last year as a year in which the pledges and efforts made with the launch of the 8th local government term laid the foundation for the future development of Yeongyang. In the new year of the Year of the Black Rabbit, he promised to lead the county administration under the theme of "Closer, Yeongyang Happiness Era," so that residents can feel happiness in their daily lives anywhere.

To realize this, Mayor Oh set five principles as next year's county administration goals: ▲ securing competitiveness in response to the risk of regional extinction ▲ establishing a systematic basic foundation for agriculture ▲ creating a vibrant city ▲ preparing a sustainable self-sufficient base ▲ enhancing residents' welfare through life-centered administration. He also presented specific plans to create a differentiated "1% Special Yeongyang, Premium Yeongyang" from other regions.

In 2023, plans include making Yeongyang a mecca of eco-tourism through projects such as the creation of the Yeongyang Birch Forest Healing Hub, the Yeongyang Night Sky Clean Eco Village, and the construction of an education center at the Endangered Species Restoration Center. He also announced plans to attract Yeongyang Correctional Facility, the National Forest Management Office, Yeongyang Pumped Storage Power Plant, and to build Air Force housing.

Additionally, by expanding the highest price guarantee system for red chili peppers, establishing the Yeongyang Southern Rural Job Support Center, and designating a leafy vegetable special zone and creating a specialized complex, the basic foundation for systematic agricultural policy will be established. Small-scale village festivals such as the Yeongyang Wild Vegetable Festival, Yeongyang Chili H.O.T Festival, and Neungi Mushroom Festival will be fostered to revitalize the local commercial district. Infrastructure improvements such as the realignment of National Road No. 31, maintenance of the downtown section of Dongbu Stream, construction of Yeongyang Fire Station, and expansion of residents' safety insurance will prepare a self-sufficient base.

In particular, he conveyed his commitment to fully support health checkup expenses for residents aged 50 and over, as well as the construction of an aquatic rehabilitation center and an underground parking lot at Yeongyang Elementary School.

Mayor Oh Do-chang of Yeongyang County said, "At the center of all policies in the 8th local government term will be the residents, and I will listen to all voices," adding, "In the new year of the Year of the Black Rabbit, I ask all residents to join together on the journey to create a hopeful Yeongyang with one heart."