Gokseong-gun Wins 'Clean Jeonnam Best Village' Award for 2 Consecutive Years

Jeonnam Province Policy Project Secures 100 Million Won in Sangsa Business Expenses

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced that it has secured 100 million KRW in prize money by winning the grand prize again this year in the comprehensive evaluation of the “Clean Jeonnam Best Village Creation” project for cities and counties, following last year.

The Clean Jeonnam Best Village Creation project is a program where residents directly participate and lead efforts to improve the village environment and landscape. From 2021 to 2030, 1,000 villages are selected annually, and each village receives 5 million KRW per year for three years, totaling 15 million KRW.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

This evaluation consisted of quantitative assessments such as participation in the Best Village project, performance of the promotion team, and the budget ratio for key projects, as well as qualitative assessments including image evaluation and evaluation of best practice cases. Through this process, six excellent cities and counties were selected, and after a final review, award grades were determined, with Gokseong-gun honored with the grand prize.

Gokseong-gun has carried out various activities to revitalize village communities and enhance the happiness of its residents.

The Clean Jeonnam Best Village project served as a catalyst, actively supporting villages through initiatives such as the visiting Clean Jeonnam Best Village workshops, Clean Jeonnam Best Village pride contests, community revitalization projects, training and operation of local activists, and production and distribution of village case study and project menus.

As a result, five villages in Jeollanam-do were selected as excellent Best Villages: Ok-gwa Sinheung Village, Jukgok Samtae Village, Seokgok Wolpyeong Village, Ogok Amnok Village, and Ip-myeon Sanggeum Village.

Only 75 villages out of 3,000 were selected as excellent Best Villages and will receive an additional 2 million KRW each in project funds for 2024.

Ok-gwa Sinheung Village operates the old village hall as a village school as part of the Clean Jeonnam Best Village project, where residents use it as a learning space for diary writing, book publishing, literacy classes, and more.

Additionally, the village museum, which displays a tile mural map installed on the wall and old items of residents, provides sightseeing attractions for passing tourists.

The village hall runs communal meals to ensure residents are not isolated and care for each other.

By creating a village band and using smart village broadcasting, the community shares village activity updates anytime and anywhere with children and residents, making it a living community.

Jukgok-myeon Samtae Village is a neighborhood that has recently revitalized itself through village beautification under the Clean Jeonnam Best Village project, restoring its long history and culture.

Bright and meaningful paintings on old fences enhance the village’s beauty. Through this, the village is transforming into a space of art and beauty and is also being utilized as a tourism resource for visitors.

A county official said, “The Clean Jeonnam Best Village project is a good policy that makes residents happier. Now in its third year, 159 villages in Gokseong-gun have gained vitality, and the spirit of village communities sharing warm affection among residents is being revived. We will continue to strive to further mature the culture of resident autonomy in Gokseong through this project.”

Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr