County Governor Gubokgyu: "In the Year of the Rabbit, Hwasun Will Take a New Leap with Future Industries and Tourism"
"We Will Devote All Our Efforts to Renewing Hwasun and Making Residents Happy"
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Hwasun County has taken vigorous steps to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, symbolizing luck and leap forward.
Under the slogan "Renew Hwasun! Make citizens happy!", the ambitious 8th elected administration of Hwasun County, launched in July last year, has achieved remarkable results over the past six months despite a busy schedule, including revising various ordinances and establishing detailed implementation plans for the county governor's pledges, while focusing on completing the blueprint for future Hwasun.
◆Achievements of the 8th Elected Administration in 6 Months
Ranked No. 1 among county-level units in Jeonnam in the Regional Development Index (RDI) evaluation by Korea Rural Economic Institute
Village Doctor System and Support Project for Standing Tables in Senior Centers
Last year, the boldly introduced "Village Doctor System," designated as a pledge project of the 8th elected administration, gained widespread popularity throughout its implementation period.
The "Village Doctor System" involves medical personnel such as public health doctors from Hwasun County Health Center, 12 health branches, and 13 health clinics regularly visiting villages in 13 towns and townships to provide various healthcare services and health exercises.
Thanks to the "Village Doctor System," Hwasun County was honored as the top-ranked county-level unit in Jeonnam in the Regional Development Index (RDI) evaluation conducted biennially by Dong-A Ilbo and the Korea Rural Economic Institute.
Additionally, the "Support Project for Standing Tables in Senior Centers," launched in October targeting 379 senior centers, is also considered a successful case.
Moreover, a highlight confirming Hwasun County's true potential was its top ranking in average safety index grades (including Grade 1 for infectious disease management) among 21 cities and counties in Jeonnam in the "2022 National Regional Safety Index" evaluation announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in December last year.
◆County Governor Gu Bok-gyu Declares the First Year of Implementation for the 8th Elected Administration at the New Year's Ceremony
At the New Year's sunrise event, County Governor Gu Bok-gyu stated, "Welcoming the Year of the Rabbit symbolizing luck and leap forward, Hwasun will newly leap forward through fairness, innovation, future industries, and tourism," adding, "All of us, including myself and the public officials of Hwasun County, will devote all our efforts to 'Renew Hwasun! Make citizens happy!'"
At the opening ceremony on January 2, he encouraged public officials by saying, "Since the blueprint for the 8th elected administration's county governance has been completed, this year should be the first year of implementation where citizens can tangibly feel the results."
Among the six major policies of Hwasun County administration, three core tasks of the 8th elected administration's goals are ▲leap forward as the "No. 1 Namdo Tourism Destination" through expansion of cultural and tourism infrastructure ▲building a wealthy rural area that earns money through high income generation ▲revitalizing the local economy and fostering Hwasun-type future industries.
Supporting policies for the success of Hwasun County under the slogan "Renew Hwasun! Make citizens happy!" include ▲communication and servant administration ▲creating a pleasant living environment through SOC expansion ▲realizing a welfare Hwasun where citizens are happy.
◆Practicing Empathy and Servant Administration...Demand for 'Dynamism' Centered on Field Administration
13 Town and Township Heads...Significantly Expanded Authority and Roles for Handling Small-scale Civil Complaints
Based on dynamism centered on field administration, Hwasun aims to foster a fair organizational culture and promote new changes through communication efforts such as town and township circuit love room discussions and continuous operation of the County Government Development Innovation Group, along with empathetic servant administration.
The ultimate goal of the 8th elected administration's county governance is to establish a foundation for a small city with a population of 100,000.
Accordingly, the authority and roles of the 13 town and township heads have been significantly strengthened to enable immediate response to small-scale civil complaints involving around 10 million KRW.
◆Symbol of the 8th Elected Administration, Expansion of Cultural and Tourism Infrastructure...Leap Forward as 'No. 1 Namdo Tourism Destination'
Jeokbyeok Scenic Spot Project, Hwasuncheon Flower River Road, Dolmen Park, Iyang Flood Control Reservoir
In the cultural and tourism sector, which is recognized as a representative project symbolizing the 8th elected administration, the Hwasun Culture and Tourism Foundation will be launched to serve as a control tower responsible for developing cultural and tourism content and marketing.
Seasonal festivals will be held at the World Cultural Heritage Dolmen Park, and region-specific customized projects such as creating Neungju historical and cultural city, developing Dongbok Yeondun-ri Supjeongi and Kim Satgat historic sites as tourist attractions, and constructing the Hwansanjeong cultural tourism complex will enter full swing.
Jeokbyeok in Hwasun, whose management rights were transferred from Gwangju City last year, is expected to transform into a world-class tourist attraction. The Iyang Flood Control Reservoir, once a barren area, is being ecologically restored by planting flowers and trees and will be reborn as the nation's largest park golf course, emerging as another landmark of Hwasun.
◆Building a 'Wealthy Rural Area' That Earns Money Through High Income Generation
Activating the online shopping mall Hwasun Farm, improving local food shipment systems of agricultural and livestock cooperatives
Supporting 70% of greenhouses for young farmers, returnees, and retirees...Doubling the agricultural budget
Hwasun County plans to focus on five specialized crops and high value-added agricultural products including medicinal herbs to build a wealthy rural area that earns money through high income generation.
Efforts will be concentrated on securing sales channels so that farmers receive fair compensation proportional to their efforts by activating the online shopping mall Hwasun Farm and improving the local food shipment systems of agricultural and livestock cooperatives.
Additionally, the county will foster young farmers and realize a vibrant rural community through various support policies for the stable settlement of returnees and newcomers.
◆Expanding Investment in SOC to Create a Pleasant Living Environment
Transforming Hwasun into a 'City Where People Want to Stay'
Hwasun County plans to expand investment in SOC to create a pleasant living environment and transform Hwasun into a "city where people want to stay."
The county will develop the Flower River Road with night lighting and musical fountains along Hwasuncheon as the main venue, and build an observatory on Ant Hill to provide conditions for residents to freely enjoy and appreciate the beautiful scenery of Hwasun.
Furthermore, the rural space maintenance project in Seoseong-ri, Dong-myeon, and the Odong-ri rural regeneration project will boldly improve residential conditions in rural areas to provide residents with a better quality of life.
Expansion of public parking lots and the smart new town development project to strengthen urban competitiveness will also significantly contribute to alleviating traffic congestion and improving residential environments in the city center.
◆Revitalizing the Local Economy and Fostering Hwasun-type Future Industries
Establishing a Small Business Support Center, expanding youth food truck support, Hwasun Love gift certificates, and senior job projects
Developing the 2nd Biopharmaceutical Industrial Complex, activating the companion animal and plant industry
To revitalize the local economy, the county will expand operations of the small business support center, youth food truck support project, Hwasun Love gift certificates, and senior job projects.
It will also actively compete to develop the 2nd Biopharmaceutical Industrial Complex and attract leading bio companies, solidifying its reputation as a hub city for the K-bio industry.
In line with the era of 15 million companion animals and plants, the companion animal and plant industry, selected as a Hwasun-type future industry, will be actively promoted through companion animal contests, theme park development, and orchid exhibitions.
◆Youth, Vulnerable Groups, and Education Projects...Major Tasks of the 8th Elected Administration
Affordable rental housing for youth and newlyweds, 24-hour childcare system, etc.
Youth talent development, lifelong learning...Creating a humanities city
The affordable rental housing for youth and newlyweds and the 24-hour childcare system, which will begin occupancy in the second half of the year as part of the policy to realize a welfare Hwasun where citizens are happy, are already attracting expectations as policies that will ease the economic burden on young people.
For socially vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and disabled families, mobile laundry services will be operated, and multicultural cultural centers, welfare centers for the disabled, and veterans' halls will be established. At the same time, treatment for social welfare workers, care workers, and life support workers will be improved to further strengthen the foundation for coexistence.
In addition, investments will be made to strengthen public education, support youth talent development, and thoroughly create a humanities city through the establishment of lifelong learning environments.
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