Leap Toward Becoming a Northeast Asian Hub City... Realizing Seven Future Visions
Proposed as a Marine New Industry Hub and Southwestern Economic Community
Mokpo City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Park Hongryul), is making every effort to become a key hinterland city for offshore wind power and to usher in an era of 20 million annual tourists from around the world, based on its infinite potential.
According to the city on the 21st, Jeollanam-do held its first Policy Vision Tour of the year on the 20th at the Mokpo International Football Center Multipurpose Gymnasium, seeking development strategies based on Mokpo's limitless potential.
Mayor Hongryul Park is giving a welcoming speech at the first Jeonnam Policy Vision Tour held in Mokpo. Provided by Mokpo City
The event was attended by Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, Park Hongryul, Mayor of Mokpo, Cho Seongo, Chairperson of Mokpo City Council, Kim Youngsun, President of Jeonnam Research Institute, and about 200 local residents.
Mayor Park delivered a welcoming address, saying, "As the central city of the southwestern region, full of potential, Mokpo is doing its utmost to grow into a bigger city," and added, "I am pleased that the first Jeonnam Policy Vision Tour of the year is being held in Mokpo."
The Policy Vision Tour began with the announcement of the seven major visions for Mokpo's future development by the Jeonnam Research Institute, followed by a policy discussion with local residents and proposals for financial support.
The Jeonnam Research Institute presented the slogan, "Restoring the Prestige of Korea's Top Three Ports, Mokpo as the Northeast Asian Gateway Connecting Past, Future, and the World," and evaluated Mokpo as having infinite potential as the starting and ending point of the Korean Peninsula connecting the ocean and inland, as well as a foundation for offshore wind power, eco-friendly ships, and the seafood industry.
The institute then proposed seven future visions for Mokpo: ▲Romantic Port Mokpo Three Major Renovation Projects ▲Opening the Era of 20 Million Global Tourists Visiting Mokpo ▲Korea’s Leading Cultural Port City Embodying Kim Daejung’s Spirit of Peace ▲Eco-friendly Marine New Industry Hub Leading the Northeast Asian Marine Economy ▲Bringing the Taste of the Sea to the World, Achieving 1 Trillion Won in Mokpo Seafood Exports ▲Pan-Pacific Gateway Land, Sea, and Air Transportation Network Transformation ▲New Regional Development Model: Southwestern Economic Community, suggesting directions Mokpo should pursue in the future.
Citizens of Mokpo proposed various projects and financial support to Kim Youngrok, governor of Jeonnam Province. Photo by Mokpo City
In the subsequent policy discussion, Mokpo citizens, Governor Kim Yungrok, and Jeonnam provincial officials engaged in a Q&A session.
Local residents emphasized the urgent need to create new industrial complexes to foster future industries such as offshore wind power, as most of Mokpo's current industrial complexes are saturated. They also requested active support for the regional extinction response fund reflecting the population decline trend and improvements to the Yeongsangang Estuary Bank landscape, which has become outdated and unsightly.
Additionally, requests were made for a full-scale remodeling of the Mokpo Culture and Arts Center, the establishment of an indoor athletics training center in Mokpo, and support for the renovation of aging tourist facilities (such as the Gatbawi Marine Walkway).
Regarding citizens' suggestions, Governor Kim Yungrok instructed Jeonnam officials to specifically review the feasibility and check the budget situation.
Mayor Park emphasized, "In this rapidly changing era, we will continue to pursue innovation and leap forward to create a greater Mokpo," and added, "We will do our utmost to gather the capabilities and energy of Mokpo citizens to open a brilliant 100-year future for Jeollanam-do."
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