Honored with the Grand Prize at the 29th Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards
Highly Praised for Opening the Nation's First Marine Healing Center and Advancing Future Marine New Industries
Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do received the 'Grand Prize' at the 29th Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards hosted by the Korea Institute of Public Administration on the 9th.
According to the county on the 10th, the Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards, established in 1996, select local governments that have achieved improved quality of life for residents and regional development through innovative organizational management and efficient policy implementation. It is the most prestigious award in the private sector.
The evaluation was conducted in six categories: administrative innovation, culture and tourism, welfare and health, regional development, industrial economy, and climate and environment, through a first quantitative evaluation, a second qualitative evaluation, resident satisfaction surveys, and official interviews.
After the final review, the Grand Prize and category awards were selected, and Wando-gun received excellent scores in all evaluation items, earning the honor of the 'Grand Prize,' which corresponds to first place.
They are taking a commemorative photo after receiving the 'Grand Prize' at the 29th Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards. [Photo by Wando-gun]
In particular, to overcome the crisis of regional extinction caused by low birth rates and population outflow, the county has been preparing the marine healing industry as a future strategic project for nine years since 2015.
Marine healing is a health promotion activity that uses marine resources to heal the body and mind. Last November, the Wando Marine Healing Center, the first marine healing facility in Korea, opened, and Wando-gun was highly evaluated for leading Korea's marine healing industry.
Since its opening, the Marine Healing Center has welcomed 30,000 visitors and has emerged as a healing hot spot and wellness tourism destination.
In addition, △ establishment of a joint marine bio research institute to create a marine bio-industry ecosystem △ promotion of large-scale national projects such as the National Subtropical Arboretum and National Maritime Museum △ successful hosting of large-scale events such as the Jeonnam Sports Festival △ operation of free buses throughout Wando for the first time in Jeonnam and expansion of night ferry operations △ AI and IoT-based health management services for elderly residents in medically vulnerable areas and expansion of smart remote pediatric and adolescent video consultations △ exports of seafood, rice, and processed agricultural products (150 billion KRW) △ receiving 40 awards including the highest grade in the evaluation of the fulfillment of pledges by basic local government heads nationwide in the 8th term of elected officials △ selection of 31 public contest projects (111.3 billion KRW) including general rural agricultural and fishery development △ hosting the International Slow City Federation Mayors' General Assembly, among other remarkable achievements in various fields.
County Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, "Receiving the Grand Prize at the Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards is a valuable result achieved together by the residents who have given passionate support for regional development and the public officials who have made relentless efforts," expressing his gratitude for the award.
He added, "We will focus all our capabilities on creating more jobs and income through future marine new industries such as the marine healing industry, marine bio-industry, and the construction of a marine wellness tourism city to promote regional development."
Wando = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil just8440@asiae.co.kr
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