Naju City in the 8th Elected Term Reviews the 'Past 2 Years' and Looks Ahead to the 'Next 2 Years' ①
Focus on Resolving Rural Challenges Such as Special Zone Designation, Learning Voucher Support, and Aging Population
Mayor Yoon Byeong-tae Evaluates, "We Have Laid the Foundation for a New Leap by Listening to Citizens' Voices"
① Ten Innovative Achievements
Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju recently said, "During the remaining two years of the 8th local government term, I will focus solely on the citizens, prioritize the development of Naju and the happiness of its citizens, think more deeply, prepare thoroughly, and steadily move forward step by step."
He intends to vigorously open the shining future of Naju by solidly preparing for the "era of 5 million Naju tourism" and concretizing the completion of the "global small but strong city of 200,000" together with the citizens.
Naju City has set a plan to devote all efforts to realizing the vision based on the "ten innovative achievements" accomplished by Mayor Yoon Byung-tae during the two years of the 8th local government term.
▲ Designation of Global Innovation Regulatory Free Zone and Education Development Zone
The DC industry global innovation regulatory free zone, finally designated as a special zone on April 30, means that through the establishment and operation of the world's first DC distribution network testbed (special zone), it is now possible to secure demonstration and technological capabilities for power equipment and operation technologies necessary to preoccupy the global market. Within the global innovation special zone, it can become the center of the energy new industry that transmits renewable energy generation such as solar and wind power to the metropolitan and eastern regions. It is regarded as the optimal opportunity to preoccupy the global market through demonstration of distributed energy element technologies and DC distribution network operation coming soon.
Earlier in February, it was selected as the first pilot area for the Education Development Zone promoted by the Ministry of Education, laying a very important foundation to nurture core talents necessary for sustainable future jobs and national development in Naju, along with the preferences of local students. A 24/7 care system will be established, Neulbom schools will operate in all elementary schools in the jurisdiction, and school complex facilities will be installed to resolve overcrowding in schools within Bitgaram Innovation City and expand care spaces.
▲ Jeollanam-do's First 'Naju Love Learning Voucher' Support
This project was implemented for the first time in Jeollanam-do to provide citizens with various learning opportunities even outside the metropolitan area and large cities. The focus was on providing diverse cultural and artistic experience opportunities so that citizens can improve their quality of life even in local areas rather than metropolitan large cities.
Vouchers worth 150,000 KRW per person annually were supported for 2,500 people in the first year, 2023, and 3,000 people this year. The vouchers can be used at various learning institutions registered within Naju City, such as academies, workshops, and sports facilities. According to a citizen satisfaction survey conducted at the end of last year, the operation scored 90.32 points, and educational institutions scored 80.5 points, indicating a highly satisfactory project.
▲ Enhancing the Value of 'Ugly Agricultural Products'... Conversion to New Products
After the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs changed the name of the existing Food Industry Policy Division to the Food Tech Policy Division in 2022 and announced the 'Food Tech Industry Development Plan,' Naju was selected in the first food tech-related public contest for local governments.
Accordingly, the 'Food Tech Research Support Center,' which supports food upcycling technology development and commercialization, will be established for the first time nationwide. It is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
The main content is to increase the value of 'ugly agricultural products' that are difficult to sell and convert them into new products. It is expected to secure sustainable agricultural competitiveness and play a leading role in increasing farmers' income and carbon neutrality.
▲ Expansion of Local Agricultural and Marine Food Exports
Naju City has worked to turn farmers' hard work into income. Since the launch of the 8th local government term, it has signed agricultural and marine food export agreements worth 37.3 billion KRW, and the export scale increased from 80 billion KRW in 2022 to 100 billion KRW in 2023. Through improving the quality of agricultural and marine products and expanding export markets, it has helped secure stable sales channels and farm income, which are the foundation of agricultural management, and strengthen the competitiveness of Naju agriculture. It also promoted overseas sales events for agricultural and marine products and won the grand prize at the 2023 Jeonnam Province Agricultural and Marine Export Excellent City and County Competition.
▲ Resolving Labor Shortage Amid Rural Aging
It not only resolved labor shortages on farms but also significantly reduced labor costs. This was achieved by greatly expanding the introduction of foreign seasonal workers. Selected for the public seasonal labor project for two consecutive years, the number increased from 32 in 2022 to 354 in 2023, and 532 in the first half of this year. Labor costs were reduced by about 8.7 billion KRW over two years.
Efforts are made not just to increase foreign workers indiscriminately but also to care for their health. As of 2023, 145 foreign workers have been issued health cards.
▲ Passenger-Requested Destination Bus Service
In September last year, Naju City introduced 'Naju Call Bus,' the first in Jeollanam-do. The fare is 1,000 KRW for adults, 700 KRW for youth, and 500 KRW for children, operating from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. The last call is accepted until 10 PM. This bus is a new concept of public transportation that allows passengers to reach their destination by calling via an app or call center at the bus stop, regardless of fixed routes or timetables.
Starting with 7,720 passengers in September last year, the numbers were 9,702 in October, 9,558 in November, 10,190 in December, and this year, 10,803 in January, 9,522 in February, and 10,370 in March used the call bus.
▲ Jeollanam-do's First 'Integrated Odor Control Center' Established and Operated
In July 2023, the 'Naju City Integrated Odor Control Center,' the first in Jeollanam-do, opened and is conducting preemptive odor prevention and rapid on-site response using cutting-edge technology. It serves as a dedicated window for odor complaints, resolving grievances of residents suffering from odors and practicing field-centered empathetic administration. Six environmental experts collect real-time odor data in two shifts, morning and afternoon, 24/7, and digitize it. This enables proactive and systematic odor response, including predicting odor occurrences and tracking routes before and after occurrence.
Thirty-one odor measuring devices are installed and operated near major odor-emitting business sites in the jurisdiction. They precisely measure and transmit odor factors such as composite odor, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and total volatile organic compounds every minute, enabling real-time response.
▲ Realizing a Healthier and Happier Welfare Community
The distribution of standing tables and chairs to senior centers, a pledge of the 8th local government term, was completed last year. It was promoted to improve the sitting culture that burdens the joints of elderly users of senior centers. Although the plan was to distribute them annually until 2025, due to high satisfaction among the elderly, 2,417 sets were distributed to all 620 senior centers by the end of last year.
Lightweight and sturdy wooden plywood 'folding' tables that one adult can easily carry and move were distributed to maximize convenience and space efficiency with meticulous care.
▲ Realizing an Attractive Naju Where Youth Return... Support for Free Rental Housing for Youth
Naju City is expanding the supply of 'zero deposit and zero rent' rental apartments for employed youth, introduced for the first time nationwide this year. Last year, 30 units of Booyoung rental apartments in Samyeong-dong and Songwol-dong were supplied for the first time, and this year, 70 units will be supplied, increasing the cumulative total of 'zero deposit youth rental housing' to 100 units. An additional 70 units are scheduled to be allocated in the second half of the year.
Youth residing in these houses only need to pay monthly maintenance fees without any deposit or rent burden. They can live for a basic two-year contract with a maximum one-time extension, allowing up to four years of residence.
Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju City is visiting a youth rental housing family to offer congratulations.
In addition, over the past two years of the 8th local government term, Naju City has achieved various results across different fields. Since last year, it has held investment attraction events for the metropolitan area for two consecutive years, signing investment agreements worth 272.7 billion KRW with 17 companies, steadily building infrastructure for the energy new industry that creates future food sources.
In October last year, the first integrated Naju festival and national marathon competition further enhanced the potential of the era of 5 million Naju tourism.
Through the Future Education Support Center, opened in July last year, various educational programs are operated, and four schools were selected as candidate schools for the IB program, striving to bridge the educational gap with large cities.
The 'Naju Combined Heat and Power Plant Resident Participation Environmental Monitoring Committee' was formed to carefully examine points of concern raised by citizens through communication among citizens, the power plant, and Naju City. Childbirth incentives, home care services, and support for infertility treatment costs have been expanded, and special childcare policies such as 24/7 hourly childcare rooms (two locations) are implemented to create a leading city where all generations can be happy.
Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, "I deeply thank the citizens who have quietly engaged in their livelihoods and gathered wisdom and support for Naju's development despite high prices, high interest rates, and ongoing recession," adding, "Over the past two years, we have worked to establish a new framework for change for Naju and to concretely present the direction and vision to move forward."
He continued, "We have set two major goals, the 'era of 5 million Naju tourism' and the 'global small but strong city of 200,000,' and have devoted all efforts to laying the foundation to realize them," evaluating, "The two years running together with citizens, listening carefully even to small voices, have solidly laid the groundwork for a leap forward."
He added, "Thanks to the warm encouragement and support from citizens who said 'Naju has truly changed' over the past two years, I and over 1,000 public officials could work with more strength," and "We will create a Naju where citizens feel proud to live, and where all generations can enjoy the highest quality of life with happiness together."
Naju = Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong baekok@asiae.co.kr
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