Passion for a Better Uljin Continues with Awards... County Governor Son Byeong-bok's Consecutive Honors

Awarded Korea's Trusted Innovation Award for 3 Consecutive Years... 6th Individual Award

High Praise for Efforts to Overcome Local Extinction Crisis, Including Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex

The efforts for regional development in Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, and the proactive actions of County Governor Son Byeong-bok have been recognized through a series of awards.

Son Byung-bok, the governor of Uljin County, has received consecutive awards since taking office. (Receiving the Korea Economic Person of the Year and Management Awards) Photo by Uljin County

In particular, the "Korea Trusted Innovation Award" received on the 2nd is a prestigious award given to institutions and companies that lead sustainable development and innovative changes in regions or businesses through creative and groundbreaking policies and project implementation.

In the administrative innovation category this year, Uljin-gun won the award for the third consecutive year, while Nonsan-si, which is establishing growth momentum through defense logistics projects, and Icheon-si, which is actively fostering the semiconductor and advanced industries, received the award for the second consecutive year.

Since his inauguration, Uljin-gun has been honored with the award for three consecutive years in recognition of its role in leading groundbreaking regional development through the establishment of the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex, overcoming the crisis of local extinction, and pioneering the paradigm of Korea's hydrogen industry.

Under the leadership of County Governor Son Byeong-bok during the 8th elected term, Uljin-gun achieved the selection as a candidate site for the National Nuclear Hydrogen Industrial Complex through differentiated competitiveness and active attraction efforts.

Subsequently, by achieving the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study, it created opportunities for national competitiveness leap through hydrogen production in the carbon-neutral era alongside regional development.

These efforts and achievements of Uljin-gun were also reflected in the awards received by County Governor Son Byeong-bok.

This year, Son Byeong-bok received awards in the following categories: ▲K-Brand Future Innovation City ▲9th Korea Social Development Award in Local Administration ▲2024 Korea Economy Leading Figures & Management in Regional Economic Development ▲6th Korea Great People Award in Aging Innovation Response ▲3rd Korea Press Solidarity Legislative & Administrative Award in Basic Local Government Head category.

In particular, the "Korea Great People Award" in the Aging Innovation Response category, hosted by the Korea Association of Right Media, recognized his contributions to regional economic development as well as the promotion of senior citizen-tailored welfare in the aging era.

County Governor Son Byeong-bok was awarded for preparing innovative response measures for the aging era, including improvements to senior centers and expanded operational support, increased rice and kimchi support and side dish provision at senior centers, support for senior citizens’ bathing and beauty expenses, and mobile laundry services for the elderly.

Last year, Son Byeong-bok was also recognized for his contributions to regional development and leadership in administrative management by receiving the grand prize in the local administration category for both the ▲2023 Korea Person of the Year Award and ▲2023 Korea Person of the Year Award, selected from over 240 local governments.

Going forward, Uljin-gun plans to focus on ▲securing future leading projects ▲a great leap in Uljin tourism ▲a major transformation of foundational industries ▲citizen safety and welfare opened through service, to lead sustainable development and overcome the challenges of local extinction.

County Governor Son Byeong-bok stated, “All the achievements of Uljin-gun are the results created together by public officials and citizens,” and added, “I thank the citizens who have joined forces and supported us through many challenges and changes. I ask for your continued interest and cooperation so that the process so far can lead to successful results, and I will strive even harder to make Uljin-gun a prosperous place for all citizens.”