Promotion of Large-Scale Projects Including New Development of the 2nd Agricultural and Industrial Complex
On July 1st, marking the midpoint of the 8th term of the directly elected administration, Kim Cheol-woo, the governor of Boseong County, Jeollanam-do, is writing a new chapter in Boseong’s history with the goal of building a ‘hopeful Boseong full of dreams and happiness,’ welcoming all residents as partners in county governance with the first, best, and largest achievements.
The 8th term of Boseong County, under the slogan ‘Boseong Running Again 365,’ is consolidating the greatest achievements in history based on the solid foundation laid since the 7th term, leading not only Boseong but also Jeollanam-do, and creating a leap forward as the center of South Korea’s southern coastal tourism.
To secure long-term growth engines from residents’ daily lives to the local economy, the county is accelerating major projects such as the Boseong-Beolgyo Complex Community Center, urban gas supply in Boseong-eup, the Gyeongjeon Line Namhae Line KTX connection, and the establishment of the 2nd Agricultural and Industrial Complex.
Additionally, key projects to open the renaissance of the new South Coast era are being vigorously pursued, including the creation of an ecological exploration trail between Beolgyo and Jangdo, the Yeojaman National Tidal Flat Marine Ecological Park, the Yulpo Marine Complex Center construction project, the Fisheries Village New Vitality Promotion Project, and the establishment of the Jeonnam Education Training Center.
▲ Two consecutive years of top-tier comprehensive public institution integrity rating … continuous innovation and growth
Boseong County was honored with the highest grade, Grade 1, in the comprehensive public institution integrity evaluation conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in 2023, following 2022. Notably, it was the only local government among 227 nationwide to receive the Prime Minister’s Commendation in celebration of the 12th Anti-Corruption Day, solidifying its reputation as a trusted and efficient advanced local government.
Furthermore, in May, Boseong received an A (Excellent) grade in the pledge fulfillment evaluation announced by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters, proving its faithful execution of promises to residents. With a 6.18% budget increase rate in 2024, ranking first in Jeollanam-do, two consecutive years as an excellent institution in the 2023 local government proactive administration comprehensive evaluation, ten consecutive years of the Korea Prestige Brand Award, and 74 awards in total, along with securing 818 million KRW in prize money and project funds, Boseong proudly demonstrates continuous innovation and growth.
One of the representative excellent cases of public-private cooperation and resident autonomy is the ‘Our Neighborhood, We Cultivate Boseong600’ project, a key policy of Boseong County and expanded as Jeollanam-do’s ‘Clean Jeonnam Prime Village’ project. The ‘Boseong600’ project has been expanded to all administrative fields such as Culture600, Clean600, Safety600, and Welfare600, developing into a unique resident participation brand policy found only in Boseong.
Securing the largest-ever ordinary local allocation tax of 309.9 billion KRW, along with 28.1 billion KRW for the Boseong Urban Regeneration New Deal project, 40 billion KRW for the aged water supply network maintenance project, 30 billion KRW for rural living water development, 35.8 billion KRW for the Beolgyo Bongnim flood damage living area comprehensive maintenance project, and a total of 97 projects with 184.6 billion KRW in project funds, Boseong is driving regional development.
▲ Inclusive welfare and reliable administration
With meticulous and robust welfare policies tailored to life cycles, Boseong achieved seven awards in health and welfare fields in 2023, including the top prize for demand-centered support system projects, the only excellent institution in Jeonnam in the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s childcare policy evaluation, and an excellent institution in health promotion project evaluation.
True to its reputation as ‘Ui-hyang Boseong’ (Land of Righteousness), the county enhanced benefits for national veterans by increasing the honorarium for veterans and establishing new allowances for bereaved families of veterans. For the safety of elderly residents using senior centers, all centers were collectively insured for fire and business liability, and standing tables were installed in 450 senior centers.
Support for cataract surgery, popular among seniors aged 65 and over, was expanded from households with median income up to 120% to those up to 150%, allowing more residents to benefit. Direct health policies such as shingles vaccination for those over 50, dentures and implants support for low-income elderly, prostate disease screening, and medical expense support for rare disease patients are generously provided.
To create a child-rearing friendly environment and establish diverse family cultures, the county is expanding welfare facility infrastructure by promoting the construction of the Boseong Family Center, building the public-private cooperative Chodong Friends public daycare center, and operating the Together Care Center. For transportation-vulnerable groups, 20,566 calls of disabled call taxis, 31,736 voucher taxi rides, 112,281 rides of Happy Taxi in 44 villages, and 175,187 users of the 100-won bus for elementary, middle, and high school students within Boseong County were recorded.
Despite the risk of population extinction, proactive measures were taken. By securing 26 billion KRW from the Local Extinction Response Fund, projects such as the Yulpo Promenade creation, rural study abroad support, rental-type smart farm complex for young farmers, and green tea village workation creation and operation are underway. Policies to encourage childbirth and expand childcare support, provide postpartum care costs to all newborn families, establish a 18 billion KRW Boseong Scholarship Foundation fund, foster prestigious high schools, and develop specialized vocational high school talents are enhancing policy awareness among children, youth, and parents.
Especially, to prevent youth outflow and support stable settlement, the BS Youth Market was created utilizing vacant spaces in the Boseong Local Market, along with follow-up support projects for youth startups, youth business succession support, youth village and youth center creation, and the Jeonnam-type 10,000 KRW housing project allowing youth and newlyweds to live for 10 years with no deposit and a monthly rent of 10,000 KRW.
▲ Thriving agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries for all
With the goal of creating prosperous agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries that recognize the value of farmers’ hard work, various policies are being implemented to realize wealthy rural areas.
Support includes farmers’ public interest allowances and monthly salary support, basic public interest direct payments, strategic crop direct payments, rice management stabilization support, crop disaster insurance and agricultural safety insurance, multi-purpose small farm machinery support, expansion of high-quality forage production facilities, and ventilation fan support projects for livestock farms, all contributing to stable farm income.
Boseong’s specialty products are also a focus. Through a business agreement with Nonghyup Distribution, Boseong kiwis, designated as Geographical Indication No. 111, are distributed nationwide. The Rural New Vitality Plus Project (7 billion KRW) is establishing the Boseong Kiwi Hub Center and a smart management system.
To usher in the second revival of Boseong tea, projects such as the Boseong Tea Industry Advancement Project, powder tea processing and sterilization facility construction, modernization of high-quality tea production facilities, and development of related products are being promoted to enhance the domestic and international competitiveness of Boseong tea.
To realize prosperous fishing villages, projects such as comprehensive island development, fishing village residential harbor reinforcement, Deukryang Bay clean fishing ground regeneration, and Yeojaman clean fishing ground regeneration contest projects are underway to create sustainable fishing grounds.
To improve residents’ quality of life, large-scale climate response urban forest creation projects have been promoted, including the creation of a welfare forest along 2.1 km of national road to reduce odor and block fine dust, forest road and erosion control projects for disaster prevention, and maintenance of hiking trails in residential areas, creating jobs in the forestry sector.
▲ Attractive culture, sports, and tourism
Boseong made a mark on South Korea’s festivals. In May, the ‘2024 Boseong Integrated Grand Festival,’ which combined nine representative festivals of Boseong County, attracted over 210,000 tourists and generated an estimated economic synergy effect of 15.1 billion KRW, revitalizing the local economy.
With the belief that ‘Boseong’s future lies in the sea,’ the foundation for marine tourism has been laid since the 7th term, and preparations are underway to emerge as the center of South Coast tourism.
The Yeojaman National Tidal Flat Marine Garden, with an investment of 215.5 billion KRW, has completed the preliminary feasibility study application to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The Yulpo Marine Complex Center, with an investment of 48.4 billion KRW, is a four-story building with a total floor area of 9,047㎡. The first floor houses the largest indoor surfing facility in Korea, the second floor is a multipurpose space, the third floor includes a diving viewing area and underwater studio, and the fourth floor features a skin scuba diving pool with a depth of 41.5 meters, the third deepest in the world. Completion is scheduled for the first half of 2026.
Additionally, projects such as the Beolgyo-Jangdo ecological exploration road, Boseong Bibong Marine Tourism Integrated Network, Yulpo Port Fisheries Village New Vitality Promotion Project, Yeojaman Beolgyo Tidal Flat Marine Theme Park, and Boseong Beolgyo Tidal Flat Restoration Project are being promoted to prepare for a leap as a marine leisure and ecological tourism hub on the South Coast.
Boseong County is also expanding its unique landmarks. Projects include the Obongsan Guduljang Healing Park (5.7 billion KRW), inspired by the Obongsan stone floor heating system registered as a national cultural heritage, the Taebaek Mountain Range Theme Park (8 billion KRW), reconstruction of Yeolseonru where Admiral Yi Sun-sin submitted his report and the comprehensive development of Boseong Sinheung Hill (17.3 billion KRW), Juwolsan Eco Healing Theme Park (20 billion KRW), and the Boseong Tea Garden (9 billion KRW).
Tourism resources utilizing forest assets are also notable. The Jeamsan Natural Recreation Forest, a representative tourist destination in Boseong County, was selected as a ‘Korea Unique Venue’ by the Korea Tourism Organization in 2019 and as a ‘Jeollanam-do Unique Venue’ in 2023. The Jeonnam Environmental Disease Prevention and Management Center within the recreation forest has been selected as a wellness tourism destination for four consecutive years.
The value of challenge and passion is also nurtured. The 12th Seopyeonje Boseong Sound Festival won the Korea Festival Content Award, and the Boseong County Gugak Orchestra continues the fame of Boseong sound.
Moreover, to build sports infrastructure encompassing professional and recreational sports, the Beolgyo Comprehensive Sports Facility (15 billion KRW) is being constructed. The county has hosted 30 training teams and eight national-level sports competitions, welcoming about 14,000 athletes, solidifying its position as a sports mecca.
▲ Safe residents and vibrant local economy
The electrification project of the Gyeongjeon Line and Namhae Line, with a massive project cost of 3.6201 trillion KRW, is underway. Once the KTX-Ieum stops are completed in Boseong-eup and Beolgyo-eup, a half-day living zone nationwide will be established, with travel times of two hours from Boseong to Busan and two hours and 30 minutes from Boseong to Seoul.
Accordingly, regional development efforts are underway to ensure Boseong County benefits the most in tourism, logistics, and culture. Complex community centers are being built in Boseong-eup and Beolgyo-eup. The Boseong-eup Complex Community Center (41 billion KRW) will include a bowling alley, roller skating rink, family center, and Boseong Sound Performance Hall. The Beolgyo Cultural Complex Center (42 billion KRW) will feature a swimming pool, living culture center, rural hub revitalization project site, library, cinema, and childcare center.
For regional industrial development, a new 2nd Agricultural and Industrial Complex (9.2 billion KRW) spanning about 14,000 pyeong is being constructed with a target completion in 2025. The 2023 Boseong County Agricultural and Industrial Complex Package Support Project (4.8 billion KRW) and the 2024 Boseong County Miryeok Agricultural and Industrial Complex Package Support Project (7.5 billion KRW) were selected for two consecutive years, raising expectations for environmental improvement, competitiveness enhancement, and job creation in the complexes.
The Boseong Love Gift Certificate, which supports local small businesses and helps residents reduce household expenses, has sold over 36 billion KRW, and the 2023 online direct transaction marketplace ‘Boseong Mall’ recorded sales of about 4.2 billion KRW, showing steady growth.
Proactive responses to natural disasters and social crises are also in place. Boseong County has been recognized as an excellent institution for three consecutive years in the 5th Jeollanam-do Dasan Safety Awards, for five consecutive years in the 2023 Disaster Management Evaluation, as an excellent institution in the 2023 Disaster Response Safety Korea Training, and as an excellent institution in the 2022 Disaster Prevention Project Evaluation, creating a safe living environment.
▲ Breaking regional boundaries and promoting coexistence and development
Creative culture production and cooperation between Yeongnam and Honam regions are also being strengthened. Kim Cheol-woo, governor of Boseong County, serves as chairman of the South Coast Central Region Development Council comprising nine cities and counties, promoting joint cooperation projects such as cultural arts festivals, youth festivals, and choir festivals. As secretary-general of the Jeollanam-do Mayors and Governors Council, which includes 22 cities and counties, he leads the establishment of a metropolitan administrative network.
Active efforts have also been made for public-private joint growth and development. Major agreements include international exchanges in the tea industry with Yunnan Agricultural University in China, sisterhood ties between Boseong County and Hadong County, cooperation agreements with the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation for Boseong Love and Child Love, mutual cooperation with S&C Sein Co., Ltd. (The Venti), and selection of Boseong County and Suncheon University Glocal College 30 for lifelong education linkage cooperation.
Governor Kim Cheol-woo of Boseong County stated, “Focusing solely on our residents and fulfilling promises made since the 7th term, we are steadily advancing large-scale national projects to build a strong Boseong County. Based on the achievements cultivated with our residents, we will make Boseong the mecca of marine tourism in South Korea and the center of South Coast tourism.”
Boseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Cheon-seok hss79@asiae.co.kr
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