Uiryeong-gun, Sharing Work Through Innovation in Meeting Culture

Discussions on Uiryeong-type Public Bus System Promotion and Strengthening Support for Non-Rice Crop Cultivation

An expanded executive meeting chaired by O Tae-wan, the governor of Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, was held on the 15th.

Governor O demonstrated a strong will to change the meeting format, and this was implemented in the current session, which lasted two and a half hours with department heads presenting topics on current projects and participating executives engaging in discussions.

Uiryeong-gun, Work Sharing through Innovation in Meeting Culture
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

At this executive meeting, 10 agenda items were presented, including the ‘Uiryeong-type Public Bus System Promotion’.

The Uiryeong-type Public Bus System is a project aimed at operating specialized route buses unique to the Uiryeong area, which has a small population but high transportation demand, in line with Governor O’s usual philosophy of ‘walking together with the vulnerable.’ The project targets implementation in July 2024.

Although this project requires a large initial investment, it does not impose a heavy financial burden in terms of operation. It has advantages such as creating youth jobs through local resident employment, adjusting bus intervals according to residents’ demands and needs, and operating small buses that can serve remote villages.

Measures discussed included free bus fares, operation of small buses, flexible management of bus intervals, and transfer linkage plans in cooperation with neighboring cities and counties.

Another topic, ‘Promotion Request for the 2023 Our Wheat Festival with the Wheat Field (to be held on May 21, 2023),’ concerned the cultivation of alternative crops to overcome the limitations of rice paddy farming.

Wheat cultivation is directly related to food security. Due to global abnormal climate and international political issues causing a sharp rise in international wheat prices, expanding the cultivation area of domestic wheat has emerged as a measure to stabilize food security and living costs, preventing economic recession caused by rising food prices.

Governor O stated, “In the past, cultivating field crops such as soybeans and wheat required a lot of labor, but now all processes of crop cultivation are mechanized, greatly reducing the required workforce. Therefore, it is necessary to review support measures to foster additional farming households by expanding the cultivation area of non-rice crops.”

He also said, “Our region is the birthplace of soba (buckwheat noodles). We will consult with related organizations and companies to enable buckwheat cultivation in our area and consider holding a festival that combines beautiful buckwheat flowers and buckwheat-based foods.”

Other topics presented included discovering excellent cases of qualitative indicators in joint city-county evaluations, plans to revitalize designated areas of general agricultural and fishing village development projects, discovering projects for the local extinction response fund, the status of hometown love donation system promotion, a full survey of utility poles and communication poles within river areas, the installation and operation status of dementia safety center branches, the renovation of Seodong Living Park, and the expansion project of an eco-friendly golf course.

Governor O said, “Adhering to the basic principles of administration is the beginning of change in Uiryeong. Sharing work through discussions on current projects and simultaneously progressing civil complaints and development tasks through collaboration will enable comfortable and prompt administrative services for residents, which is the driving force for Uiryeong’s development.”