Exemption from Preliminary Feasibility Study for Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex, Early Construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4
County Administration Serving Residents, Establishing Welfare and Safety Systems
Amidst the crises of low birth rates and the risk of local extinction, two years have passed since the inauguration of the 8th popularly elected administration of Uljin County, which has been striving to ensure a better life for residents and to lay the foundation for growth that will lead the next 100 years.
Uljin County Governor Son Byeongbok said, "I would like to thank all the residents who have joined us in running the 8th administration," and added, "The past two years have been a time of genuine dedication, focusing solely on the residents and the development of Uljin."
It has been two years of sincerity, not for visible achievements or administrative performance, but for the future of Uljin County and the happiness of its residents.
With the administrative goals of a practical economy, differentiated tourism, touching welfare, and a serving administration, the 8th Uljin County government has laid the groundwork for a greater leap forward. Let us look back on the past two years.
▲ Practical Economy
The top priority of the 8th administration has been to create a prosperous Uljin County for its residents, continuing various efforts to revitalize the local economy.
The first step toward becoming a city of 100,000 people: the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex. The 8th Uljin County administration has taken its first step toward the hope of becoming a city of 100,000. This begins with the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex, which can be powered by Uljin's nuclear-generated electricity.
Since his inauguration, Governor Son Byeongbok has actively pursued agreements with hydrogen-related companies. Following the selection of the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex site in March last year, the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study was confirmed on June 28, allowing the project to accelerate.
In particular, this exemption is the first granted among the 15 national industrial complex candidates promoted by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in a non-metropolitan area, reflecting the government's recognition of the demand and economic ripple effect of the Uljin Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex.
The National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex is expected to generate 17 trillion won in economic effects, including 9 trillion won in production inducement, and create over 38,000 jobs, leading to remarkable growth in the local economy and population influx.
Uljin County is making every effort to expedite pre-construction procedures, aiming for completion by 2029.
Revitalizing the local economy through coexistence, resumption of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 construction: Alongside the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex, the 8th Uljin County administration moved swiftly, holding intensive consultations with local lawmakers and relevant ministries, resulting in the resumption of construction for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4.
The Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 project involves the construction of two 1.4 million kW-class nuclear power plants in North Gyeongsang Province by 2033, with site preparation work underway following last year's project plan approval.
Through cooperation agreements with project operators and main equipment contractors, Uljin County has ensured that the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 will substantially benefit the local economy by promoting local company participation, creating employment opportunities for residents, and using local materials and equipment at the construction sites.
Additionally, a cooperation council will be formed to monitor the implementation of the agreement on a quarterly basis.
Efforts are also underway to secure housing for incoming construction workers, ensuring that their presence will further boost the local economy.
Creating new competitiveness through change and challenge: Agricultural and Fisheries Transformation. Changes have also been made to agriculture and fisheries, the backbone of the local economy.
In agriculture, the focus has been on mechanization and scaling up to overcome aging and poor conditions, promoting projects such as the Field-Specific Zone Project, construction of large-scale cold storage, and the establishment of a rental-type smart farm for shiitake mushrooms, all aimed at creating a profitable agricultural environment.
For fisheries, the focus has been on changing the distribution system, with pilot projects underway to secure a stable supply chain for fresh seafood and to establish same-day delivery systems to the capital and inland regions.
Adopting a business mindset in administration: Improving the management of county-owned facilities
The 8th administration has incorporated a business mindset into traditionally run county operations, improving the management of county-owned facilities to ensure stable operation and benefit the local economy.
Through these efforts, Marine CC, which was embroiled in legal disputes, has been normalized and discounts for Uljin residents have been increased. Facilities like Wangpicheon Cable Car have also seen improved management, with operating expenses paid and profits returned to the county.
▲ Differentiated Tourism
The 8th administration's strategy for ushering in an era of 10 million tourists has focused on attracting visitors from neighboring areas and building infrastructure to encourage longer stays.
Adding new appeal to existing attractions! As the first step toward differentiated tourism, existing infrastructure has been upgraded and transformed into new landmarks.
At Seongnyugul Cherry Blossom Road, a popular spring destination in Uljin, a deck was built, earning praise from both residents and tourists. A barefoot walking trail, a current travel trend, is being developed near Wolsongjeong to create a new tourist attraction.
To further support the barefoot walking trend, barefoot walking spots are being developed at Wolsongjeong and Yeonhojeong, and Gusan Beach has been opened as a pet-friendly beach, creating unique attractions exclusive to Uljin.
Additionally, projects such as the National East-West Trail, "Try Living in the Forest Village" initiative, and nighttime landscape development at Hupo Deunggisan are underway to establish tourism infrastructure that encourages visitors to stay longer.
Challenging Uljin's uniqueness: The 38th Pyeonghae Danoje Festival, held last May, concluded successfully. Uljin County transformed the previously local Pyeonghae Danoje Festival into a nationwide event, introducing changes to the venue and programs.
Building on this experience, plans are in place to create a new traditional cultural festival unique to Uljin.
Furthermore, the four-season all-weather ocean resort development project was selected for the "Regional Tourism Investment Attraction Consulting and Promotion Support" program, and active investment attraction will be pursued through expert consulting and strategic planning.
▲ Touching Welfare
Governor Son Byeongbok has pursued meticulous welfare policies to ensure that even the smallest but essential welfare benefits are available to improve residents' happiness.
Welfare becomes part of daily life: Since the start of the 8th administration, a notable change in Uljin County is the sight of seniors gathering for haircuts or baths, thanks to the senior haircut and beauty support program.
The program, targeting residents aged 70 and over, has been well received since its inception and has been expanded this year.
Additionally, to ensure seniors receive proper meals at senior centers, the side dish support program, previously offered five times a year, has been expanded to twice a month since the end of June.
The county has also expanded mobile laundry services for seniors, extended shingles vaccination to those aged 50 and over (the first in North Gyeongsang Province), repurposed the governor's residence as an after-school childcare facility, and is actively considering introducing free buses for all residents, continuing to provide essential support for daily life.
Welfare becomes convenient: Governor Son Byeongbok has emphasized the importance of universal welfare, such as water, electricity, roads, and safety, for all residents and has worked to build the necessary infrastructure.
To address water welfare blind spots, projects to improve water supply facilities and install integrated waterworks are underway. The opening of County Road 17 between Sinheung and Samsan, the resumption of intercity bus stops in Geumgangsong-myeon, and the operation of rural buses in Jukbyeon-myeon are examples of policies that address even minor inconveniences.
Thorough preparations are also being made to prevent accidents caused by disasters, including proactive evacuation measures, installation of bridge-blocking facilities and warning signs, and expanding the coverage of resident safety insurance to reduce the burden in case of accidents.
▲ Serving Administration
The greatest strength in running the 8th administration comes from the trust and cooperation of the residents. Governor Son Byeongbok began this journey by serving the people who support the administration.
Reaching out to residents: To practice a serving administration, Governor Son has made efforts to approach residents and listen to even the smallest voices.
Since his inauguration, he has continuously operated "Resident Service Day," visiting more than 61 village halls and sites as of the end of June, gathering 283 opinions, of which 166 have been completed or are in progress.
Additionally, through the "Governor's Direct Message" service, residents can send various opinions, from minor inconveniences to administrative advice, directly to the governor. Of the 651 messages received so far, 481 have been completed or are in progress.
Putting residents first: The name tags of 8th administration officials are engraved with the phrase "We will serve the residents," reflecting the determination to create a public service culture that respects and serves the residents.
To put this into practice, all staff participate in greeting initiatives, etiquette training, selection of "greeting champions," and the "Good Morning" morning broadcast, among other activities.
Since last year, the "Thursday Special Lecture" series, the first of its kind among county governments in the province, has provided lectures by experts tailored to various fields and groups, strengthening the capabilities and opportunities of both residents and staff.
The 8th administration's spectrum ranges from large-scale national projects like the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex to everyday support such as the senior haircut and beauty program. However, the driving force behind these diverse initiatives is the commitment to fulfilling the promise to create a prosperous Uljin County for its residents.
Only half of the 8th administration's term has passed, but Uljin County's leap forward is just beginning.
Reflecting on the two years spent with residents and laying the foundation for the next 100 years, Governor Son Byeongbok said, "The 8th Uljin County administration is a continuous challenge on uncharted paths, but with the residents by my side, I will move forward without fear. With the spirit of 'Muhambulseong' (Nothing is achieved without sweat), I will do my utmost to achieve our goals, and I ask all residents to join us with one heart."
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