Kim Sun-ho, Gurye County Governor, Presents County Administration Vision in Policy Speech

Next Year's Main Budget Set at 348.7 Billion Won

Fostering New Growth Engines in Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry Sectors

Kim Sun-ho, former governor of Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, announced the direction and commitment of the county administration related to the 2024 budget proposal during the policy speech at the 304th Gurye-gun Council extraordinary session held on the 5th.

Gurye-gun has prepared the 2024 budget at a total scale of 348.7 billion KRW, an increase of 0.96% compared to the previous year's original budget, and submitted the budget proposal to the county council.

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

He emphasized that this budget proposal was prepared under difficult conditions due to the government's austerity policy, including a significant decrease in local allocation tax.

Governor Kim first reflected on the achievements of the past year, stating that despite the crisis of population decline, a solid foundation for future growth and leap was established through major private capital investment attraction agreements.

He also expressed confidence that from 2024, the projects that have been prepared so far will be actively promoted to show tangible results.

Kim presented six major directions for county administration in 2024: ▲ Establishing a permanent growth foundation for the local economy ▲ Advancing as the premier ecological tourism and leisure city in Namdo ▲ Leading future agriculture that revitalizes soil and farmers ▲ Building a dense and robust welfare safety net ▲ Constructing an attractive young residential city ▲ Leading a hopeful local era driven by Gurye.

First, based on Gurye-gun’s excellent ecological resources such as Jirisan Mountain and the Seomjin River, the plan is to foster the healing industry as a new growth engine to invigorate the local economy.

Through the Natural Dream Healing & Healing Cluster, which includes the establishment of a healing hospital and an anti-cancer agricultural food manufacturing plant, new jobs will be created, and a healing agriculture campus utilizing agricultural resources will also be developed.

Second, in the tourism industry sector, the plan is to take a step forward as an ecological tourism and leisure city by expanding tourism infrastructure.

The Osan Cable Car will be promoted as a core project, and through the Seomjin River Integrated Tourism Belt project, Greencation and Rainbow Walk will be created as new landmarks of tourism in Gurye.

In the Jirisan Garden and hot spring district, leisure facilities such as forest tree houses, golf courses, and hot spring hotels will be expanded to lead the revival of Gurye’s tourism industry.

Third, in agriculture, the plan is to lead future agriculture through a regional specialization strategy. To actively implement ‘carbon-neutral soil revitalization,’ soil precision surveys and organic matter input such as rice straw return will be strengthened.

Additionally, future technologies and the 6th industry will be introduced across agriculture, including smart farm dissemination, fostering a specialized domestic wheat industry, and supporting facility horticulture crops to create high added value.

Fourth, in welfare, despite the austerity budget policy, the safety net for vulnerable groups will be further strengthened.

Certification as an age-friendly city, establishment of a lifelong learning hub center, and construction of a happy family complex center are planned to significantly improve the overall living infrastructure (SOC) for the quality of life of residents.

Fifth, to build an attractive residential city, the plan is to regain urban vitality through the influx of young population and urban redesign.

In the new year, the Gurye-eup office will be relocated to the Integrated Harmony Center, and through the Local Extinction Response Fund project, jobs and housing will be provided to youth, and local creators will be nurtured.

Also, public institutions scattered throughout the city will be relocated and concentrated around the county office, and urban infrastructure such as a complex plaza and Baekryeoncheon cultural street will be newly organized.

Furthermore, through the Rural Agreement project, inter-village linkage functions will be strengthened, and national projects such as the reconstruction of Seosigyo Bridge and expansion of National Routes 18 and 19 will be actively proposed.

Finally, to open a new local era, the plan is to strengthen solidarity with autonomous districts in the Seomjin River and Jirisan areas and establish an ESG administrative system including carbon-neutral green growth policies.

A county local era committee will be formed to enhance communication and secure regional competitiveness through the industrialization of local intellectual property.

Governor Kim emphasized, “A proactive attitude of public officials is necessary to create a hopeful future for Gurye.” He added, “Our current judgments and decisions will determine the future appearance of Gurye.”

Meanwhile, the 2024 original budget is expected to be finalized on the 18th of this month, when the Gurye-gun Council extraordinary session concludes.

Gurye = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Mi-seok hss79@asiae.co.kr