Gang Jinwon, Gangjin County Governor, Receives Positive Response for Sincere 'Dialogue with Residents'

Listening to Residents' Suggestions and Requests, Providing Solutions
"Opening of the Namhae Line Railway and Gangjin-Gwangju Expressway: An Opportunity for Progress"

Gangjin County in Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jinwon) has been deepening dialogue between the governor and residents through the "2025 Dialogue with Residents," which began on the 10th and has continued in Gundong-myeon, Chilryang-myeon, Gangjin-eup, Jakcheon-myeon, Seongjeon-myeon, Daegu-myeon, and Maryang-myeon.

According to the county on the 14th, Governor Kang has been attentively listening to the suggestions and requests of residents, providing solutions, and presenting the achievements and vision of the county administration transparently, receiving positive responses.

Governor Kang utilized various video materials and screens, engaged in face-to-face conversations, and explained the philosophy and content of the county administration in the format of a business report for residents.

County Governor Kang Jinwon is explaining the achievements of the county administration in 2024 and the direction of the county administration in 2025 through a dialogue with the residents. Provided by Gangjin County

As an agricultural county, bold support for farmers takes priority. This year, the county is allocating 28.2% of its total budget to efforts aimed at doubling farmers' incomes.

Specifically, including 5 billion KRW from the county budget, a total of 8.3 billion KRW has already been provided as the largest rice farming management stabilization fund in the province. Additionally, support for soybean cultivation in paddy fields is the highest in Jeollanam-do, with an extra 500,000 to 1.5 million KRW per hectare.

Furthermore, to foster the Korean beef industry, the county is providing support to all Korean beef farms at more than three times the provincial average, especially by utilizing county funds, thereby alleviating the burden on livestock farmers.

Efforts are also being made to create a virtuous cycle in tourism, festivals, and the economy. Emphasizing that attracting tourists is the key to revitalizing the region amid the crisis of local extinction, the county launched the nation's first "Gangjin Half-Price Travel" program last year, which has proven highly effective.

Last year, 2.82 million tourists visited Gangjin, allowing small businesses across the county, including Gangjin-eup, to maintain their operations with almost no closures. Festivals clearly demonstrated their role as a catalyst for revitalizing the local economy.

Expansion of social overhead capital (SOC) facilities has also shown remarkable results. The Namhae Line railway between Boseong, Gangjin, and Mokpo Imseong-ri, scheduled to open in September, is expected to usher in a new era of "Gangjin Tourism" by attracting tourists and logistics from Busan and the Yeongnam region.

The Ggachi Naejae Tunnel and the Gangjin-Gwangju Expressway are set to open in the middle of next year. With the opening of the expressway, Gangjin and Gwangju will be connected within 30 minutes, dramatically improving transportation convenience and accessibility.

The county is making every effort to overcome the so-called "straw effect," where Gangjin's population and economic power are absorbed by Gwangju, by instead attracting more tourists from the Gwangju area to Gangjin and seeking to increase the "living population."

At this crucial crossroads, the county is presenting a vision and showing determination to open a dynamic new era for Gangjin by ensuring that officials, residents, and council members work together to promote active industrial investment.

Additionally, to make this year "the best year for senior welfare," 22.5% of the total budget, amounting to 58.4 billion KRW, has been allocated to welfare. The county is expanding senior meal facilities, providing "Happy Laundry" and bathing services for seniors. The second Senior Welfare Center is being operated to support economic activities for those aged 65 to 75, and all senior centers are being equipped with foldable dining tables for comfortable meals, along with renovations to village senior centers and welfare facilities.

An elderly resident of Jakcheon-myeon said, "The governor's explanation, especially about the rice management stabilization fund and the half-price travel program, helped me understand better," expressing agreement with the county's efforts.

A small business owner running a flower shop in the town also commented, "The part about Gangjin being able to develop further depending on our efforts after the opening of the Namhae Line railway and the Gangjin-Gwangju Expressway resonated with me."

Gangjin County will continue the dialogue with residents in Doam-myeon, Sinjeon-myeon, Byeongyeong-myeon, and Omcheon-myeon until the 17th. Based on this round of dialogue, the county plans to actively reflect the collected opinions of residents in its policies to further develop the county administration and improve the quality of life for residents, aiming to build a Gangjin that grows together with its people in 2025.