83 Selected Public Contests in 2023, 56 Awards and More
Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced on the 8th that it participated in numerous public contest projects hosted by the central government and Jeollanam-do last year, securing a total of 83 projects with a total budget of 114.8 billion KRW (61.5 billion KRW from national and provincial funds), thereby establishing growth engines to address regional issues such as population, welfare, economy, and future agriculture.
First, many contest projects for building residential and tourism infrastructure were selected. The county was chosen for the “Youth Public Rental Housing Construction Project (20 billion KRW),” aiming to resolve youth housing issues and encourage settlement. Through the “Guwon District Rural Space Improvement Project (9 billion KRW)” and the “Rural Vulnerable Area Living Condition Renovation Project (5.4 billion KRW),” plans are underway to demolish livestock barns near major tourist sites and create convenience facilities, ecological parks, and mountain trails as cultural and sports spaces for residents.
Additionally, by being selected for the “School Complex Facility Contest Project (12.9 billion KRW),” a complex space including education, care, culture, and sports centers accessible to all residents will be established, laying the foundation for a stay-type cultural city.
With a total investment of 44.2 billion KRW, the “Artificial Ecological Forest Tourism Garden Creation Project” and the “Leisurecation Tourism Stay Expansion Project” plan to develop story gardens and rail stays utilizing the scenic views along the Seomjin River, fostering Gokseong as a representative stay-type tourist destination in the Honam region.
In the agricultural sector, the “New Income Horticulture Specialized Complex Creation Project (990 million KRW)” has established a foundation for cultivating new income crops in response to climate change. Efforts are also focused on improving farm income and leading sustainable future agriculture through projects such as the “Eco-friendly Agriculture Infrastructure Construction Project (970 million KRW),” “Youth Farmer Rental Smart Farm Creation Project (900 million KRW),” and “Cold Chain Distribution System Construction Project (850 million KRW).”
In the job and economic sectors, the county is concentrating its capabilities on establishing a basic job plan for Gokseong-gun and addressing local job shortages and talent development through the “Hometown Olrae Workation Sector Contest Project (1 billion KRW),” “Social Enterprise Job Creation Support Project (720 million KRW),” and “Senior Career-type Job Project (180 million KRW).”
The “Local Branding Activation Support Project by Living Area Unit (600 million KRW),” currently underway with the “Tukbang Market, Taking Wings” project, has been externally recognized for its excellence, securing an additional 1 billion KRW in special grants. Going forward, Tukbang Market will establish a long-term master plan to transform into a space that converges with local creators in the region.
Furthermore, through the “Rural Medical Service Improvement Project (120 million KRW),” plans are in place to improve aging public medical facilities and reinforce medical equipment to provide high-quality medical services. The “Dream Playgrounds Designed by Children Project (820 million KRW)” will create playgrounds designed directly by children in each living area, starting with the playground in Gokseong-eup last year.
Alongside these efforts, Gokseong-gun received 56 institutional commendations last year, securing approximately 1.8 billion KRW in financial incentives by being recognized for excellence in various fields.
Notably, it was the only nationwide double winner in the “13th Local Government Productivity Award Productivity Index Measurement Category” and the “Productivity Excellence Case Category,” and was selected as the best institution for five consecutive years in the “Comprehensive Information Disclosure Evaluation.”
With multiple awards such as the “Korea Local Government Management Award in the Culture and Tourism Category,” “Best Institution in the Local Government Health Promotion Strategy Category,” and “Best Institution in Regional Economic Revitalization Policies,” Gokseong-gun demonstrated its capability and value throughout the year.
Additionally, Baeksemi rice was selected for the top 10 high-quality brand rice in Jeollanam-do for four consecutive years and was chosen as a regional revitalization meritorious institution in 2023, securing a special grant of 1 billion KRW. The county also secured 100 million KRW each in prize money by winning the Clean Jeonnam Best Village Award and being selected as an excellent local government for local price stabilization management.
Governor Lee Sang-cheol said, “I deeply appreciate the efforts of over 650 public officials who achieved the largest-ever national and provincial fund acquisition. This year, with the goal of ‘Happiness Gokseong Taking a New Leap,’ we will do our best to realize all the plans we have set.”
Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
