Yun Byeongtae, Mayor of Naju, Holds 7th Village Forum at Dado Gangjeong Village

Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju City, visited Gangjeong Village in Dado-myeon after work to listen attentively to the residents' vivid on-site voices.

Naju City, Jeollanam-do, announced on the 11th that the 7th visiting village discussion meeting between Mayor Yoon Byung-tae and residents was held at the Gangjeong Village Hall in Amjeong-ri, Dado-myeon, at 7 p.m. on the 8th.

The village discussion meeting is held as an informal conversation session in the evening at village halls, senior centers, and other locations. It is a communication policy of the 8th local government administration to listen to various village issues and suggestions and to resolve them.

Mayor Yoon prioritizes visiting remote and isolated villages once a month to alleviate the difficulties of residents who have long endured inconveniences due to old village issues, daily hardships, long distances, mobility difficulties, and busy livelihoods, which have prevented them from visiting city hall.

Gangjeong Village, located 2 km south of the Dado-myeon area, lies between Ilbongam and Gitdaebong, surrounded by mountains, giving the entire village a cozy feeling. Thanks to its clean environment, it is famous as a longevity village, with about 30 households living harmoniously together.

About 30 residents attended the discussion meeting, including Yoo Byung-jae, village chief; Kang Jae-seok, head of the senior citizens' association; and Seo Gwang-soon, head of the women's association.

Village chief Yoo Byung-jae said, “The village is called Gangjeong (江亭) because the water veins are good and water continuously flows, so the character for river (江) was included, and the village shape overall resembles a pavilion (亭子). All residents warmly welcome Mayor Yoon for coming all the way to this remote village.”

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Please feel free to speak openly about any topics or fields, including village suggestions or anything you have thought about, even if you want to criticize me.”

Through the discussion meeting, residents suggested and requested issues such as “the construction of the access road connecting Dado to Provincial Road 16 and the progress of the Najuho Lake trail project,” “transplanting trees and leveling grass at Najuho Lakeside Park,” “covering village drainage and sewage pipes,” “improving village internal roads,” “constructing erosion control dams to prepare for heavy rain,” “installing resting benches along walking trails,” “providing space for agricultural waste storage and collection,” and “cutting bamboo groves to prevent fires.”

In particular, village chief Yoo Byung-jae appealed, “I have been a returnee for 11 years but have never heard the sound of children crying; however, eleven people have passed away during that time. I request Naju City’s attention and research to prepare for the village’s depopulation in the next 10 years.”

Mayor Yoon said, “Population decline is a serious issue not only in Dado-myeon but throughout rural villages. Our return-to-farming and return-to-village policies are being promoted not to create new villages but to revive existing ones.”

Mayor Yoon emphasized, “We plan to focus on nurturing villages selected through the pilot village contest for return-to-farming and return-to-village. It is very important for residents to have a receptive attitude to welcoming outsiders and to create a village environment suitable for returnees.”

He added, “We will thoroughly check every suggestion on-site and do our best to resolve them. I support the village becoming a place where people gather by well-maintaining its clean environment and beautiful scenery.”

Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy bless4ya@asiae.co.kr