Hoheung Vision Unveiled at New Year Press Conference

Gong Yeong-min County Governor Predicts Development and Change in Goheung

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] On the 11th, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) held a New Year's press conference at the county office's Space Hall with about 80 attendees including journalists and senior officials.

The meeting proceeded with explanations of last year's major administrative achievements and this year's administrative operation directions, followed by a Q&A session. At this event, Governor Gong Young-min expressed his ambition, stating, "This year, when the key projects of the 8th elected administration officially begin, we will make it a year to realize the roadmap for 'Establishing the foundation for a population of 100,000 in Goheung.'"

Governor Gong Young-min cited the major achievements over the past six months as ▲ securing a large amount of government budget to drive regional development (national funds 324 billion KRW, local allocation tax 545.9 billion KRW, public contest projects 161.2 billion KRW) ▲ designation of the space launch vehicle industry cluster, signing a 200 billion KRW investment agreement with LF Co., Ltd., and other efforts to build a foundation for future growth ▲ signing an export agreement worth 5.3 million USD for Goheung's agricultural specialty products, and holding local festivals linked to residents' income as representative efforts to create income for residents.

He then revealed a blueprint for the major administrative directions for the new year, emphasizing the full-scale realization of the vision to establish the foundation for a population of 100,000 in Goheung in 10 years and explaining key projects that will lead Goheung's hopeful future.

First, he evaluated the designation of the Goheung space launch vehicle industry cluster specialized zone in December last year as a great achievement that prepared a future growth foundation to revitalize the region. He announced plans to develop a national industrial complex and establish a space launch vehicle science complex, aiming to make it a world-class tourist attraction like the Kennedy Space Center in the United States and to lead future advanced industries.

To establish the foundation for a population of 100,000 in Goheung, he emphasized that residential conditions must be improved and that improving accessibility is a prerequisite to realizing this. He stated that feasibility studies will be conducted on the construction of a direct highway of 87.7 km between Gwangju-Goheung-eup-Naro Space Center and a railway between Goheung Nokdong and Boseong Beolgyo, focusing on expanding transportation infrastructure.

The smart farm innovation valley, completed in November last year with an area of 1 million pyeong, will be expanded into a large-scale advanced agriculture, fishery, and livestock smart farm valley of 7 to 8 million pyeong to serve as an export forward base. The plan is to nurture more than 1,000 young farmers for employment and entrepreneurship, establishing a sustainable growth foundation.

Furthermore, by branding agricultural, fishery, and livestock products and fostering the 6th convergence industry to increase added value, Goheung's excellent agricultural, fishery, and livestock products will receive their proper value. To create conditions where farmers and fishermen can focus solely on production, efforts will be made to develop domestic and international sales channels through direct engagement.

He also expressed determination to open the era of 10 million tourists through the construction of tourism infrastructure by selection and concentration. In this regard, he plans to establish tourism hubs in five regions and develop unique tourism products exclusive to Goheung to make it a tourist destination that visitors want to return to, thereby creating a new turning point for Goheung tourism.

Additionally, he plans to realize customized welfare services centered on the needs of residents to make Goheung a happy place for all. Considering the regional characteristic of a large elderly population, jobs will be provided to qualified seniors who need employment, and care medical services such as home-visit elderly primary care doctors will be strengthened to ensure no residents are left isolated. Proactive identification and support for households in welfare blind spots will also be implemented.

Governor Gong Young-min stated, "Putting residents' unity and Goheung's development as the top priorities, we will firmly establish the foundation for Goheung's development through selection and concentration and make Goheung a place where all residents are happy." He added, "We will speedily promote core projects to realize the vision of establishing the foundation for a population of 100,000 in Goheung in 10 years."

He continued, "I will always be with the residents on the journey toward Goheung's development," and requested, "Journalists, as strong partners of the administration and residents and as representatives of the residents, please play a significant role."

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr