Chairman Kim Kyung-hyun of Muan County Council: "Muan County Council Will Always Be With the Residents"

Chairman Kim Kyung-hyun of Muan County Council

On the 30th, Kim Kyung-hyun, chairman of the Muan County Council in Jeollanam-do, stated, "I will realize a responsible and trustworthy sincere council."

First, Chairman Kim said, "Like the red rising morning sun, I wish that the coming new year will be filled with health and hope in every household and a year full of achievement and fulfillment in all your endeavors."

He expressed, "I sincerely thank the residents who supported and encouraged the Muan County Council in 2023 to actively carry out legislative activities to realize an open council that communicates and works together with the residents," and stated his commitment, "I will always engage in active legislative activities for regional development and the improvement of residents' welfare through communication and harmony."

Kim Kyung-hyun, who has spent busy times as the head of the 9th Muan County Council inaugurated in July last year, shared his reflections.

Oh Hwanju is interviewing Chairman Kim Kyunghyun (right).

Below is a Q&A with Chairman Kim Kyung-hyun.

..What would you highlight as the council's achievements over the past year?

▲ Looking back over this year, despite difficult times of reflection due to the triple challenges of high interest rates, high exchange rates, and high prices, along with the central government's fiscal tightening, we made meaningful efforts to realize politics centered on coexistence and cooperation with residents amid various local issues such as opposition to the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan and discovering future new growth industries.

The Muan County Council held seven regular and extraordinary sessions in 2023, processed 12 five-minute speeches, one administrative audit, and 68 legislative bills, striving to provide practical help to residents through legislative and administrative activities for the people of Muan.

In particular, our council prioritized residents' safety, making significant efforts in disaster prevention activities against droughts and heavy rains. We actively engaged wherever help was needed, including support for small business owners, people with disabilities, and single-parent families, communicating with a servant's attitude to improve residents' quality of life and welfare.

Going forward, the Muan County Council will always communicate with residents as their representative body and do its best to build a happy Muan.

..What will be the focus of the council's operations in the new year?

▲ In the new year of Gapjin (甲辰), the Muan County Council promises to engage in legislative activities that residents can empathize with, aiming to be a trustworthy council that communicates with the people.

First, we will focus on revitalizing the local economy and carry out field-centered legislative activities to address livelihood issues and realize residents' welfare.

Second, with the mindset that the council's capabilities correspond to residents' expectations, we will strengthen professionalism and legislative capacity to be a trusted council.

Third, without losing our original intention, we will establish a council of researching members and a working council by improving flawed ordinances and unreasonable practices.

Lastly, we will faithfully reflect residents' opinions and demands in policies and carry out a higher level of legislative activities as a partner in coexistence with the executive branch.

..What are the pressing issues that Muan County needs to address?

▲ Muan has many important issues such as balanced development between urban and rural areas and expansion of living infrastructure, but the most significant issue right now is opposition to the relocation of Gwangju Combat Airfield to Muan County.

The relocation of the military airport is a very important matter not only for our region's future but also for strengthening South Korea's national defense.

The military airport relocation issue must be decided solely according to the will of Muan residents, and I believe that pressuring residents with SOC project plans or population growth effects that cannot be responsibly guaranteed should no longer be done.

Our Muan County Council will faithfully fulfill its role as the representative of residents in opposing the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan.

..Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to the residents?

▲ The 9th Muan County Council is carrying out field-centered legislative activities to create an "open council that communicates with residents."

We are constantly enacting necessary ordinances so that essential policies can be reflected in county administration according to residents' perspectives, and we are doing our best in the council's fundamental roles such as checking and monitoring the executive branch.

I believe that only when the council changes residents' lives can it truly earn their trust.

In the new year, we will continue to listen attentively to residents' voices with our original intention and strive for Muan's development and improvement of residents' quality of life.

We ask for your unwavering interest and support as the Muan County Council works together with residents to build a happy Muan in the Gapjin year, and we wish health and happiness to all your families.

Muan = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo just8440@asiae.co.kr