Pohang City Shares Achievements in Promoting Urban-Rural Exchange and Advancing Agriculture and Rural Areas

Performance Sharing Meeting and Action Group Workshop for the New Vitality Plus Project Held

The 'Performance Sharing Meeting and Action Group Workshop' was held on the 21st at the La Mer Wedding Convention in Pohang to share the achievements of the Pohang New Vitality Plus Project and strengthen networking among participants.

Pohang City held the 'Performance Sharing Meeting and Action Group Workshop' on the 21st at La Mer Wedding Convention in Pohang. Photo by Pohang City

This event was organized by Pohang City and hosted by the New Vitality Plus Project Promotion Team, with over 200 participants including Deputy Mayor Jang Sangkil, City Council Chairman Kim Ilman, members of the New Vitality Plus Project Action Groups, farmers, urban residents, and representatives from startup consulting support organizations.

During the event, various achievements of projects aimed at revitalizing urban-rural exchanges were shared, and implementation results were analyzed to gather opinions from all sectors for the successful promotion of future projects.

In particular, the growth processes and achievements of a total of 75 action groups, organized from among the 909 graduates of the Pohang New Vitality Plus Academy, were exhibited. Policy proposals, discussions, networking, and successful cases of strengthening cooperation between urban and rural areas were also presented.

The action groups fostered through the Rural New Vitality Plus Project are currently promoting new vitality projects throughout Pohang, with first-stage action groups receiving 2 million KRW and second-stage groups receiving 10 million KRW in support funds.

In the production and processing sector, major achievements include agricultural innovation using smart farms, the development of specialty products utilizing local agricultural produce, and the development of local food based on regional specialties. Representative action groups include 'Sool Bineun 4050' and 'Haepungmidang,' which use local food.

In the sales and distribution sector, action groups such as 'Halmeoniui Bomul Teotbat,' which facilitates direct transactions of agricultural products produced by elderly farmers, are promoting direct transactions and expanding distribution networks using online platforms.

Furthermore, revitalizing urban-rural exchanges through rural experience programs emerged as a key achievement in the culture and experience sector. Representative action groups include 'Sigolgil Gongbang,' which operates total home service projects for vulnerable groups; 'Dagachi Green,' which plans traveling rural experience classes; 'Honey Works Town,' which creates complex cultural experience spaces based on beekeeping; and 'Munhwa Bappul,' which develops health foods using wild herbs.

In the promotion and marketing sector, activities are underway to effectively promote rural resources using digital marketing and publicity strategies. Topics include selling agricultural products through YouTube and live commerce, SNS campaigns to revitalize rural culture, and producing various content to promote the value of eco-friendly agriculture.

The action groups are also focusing on securing intellectual property rights through research and development. According to this performance report, a total of 19 intellectual property rights have been applied for or registered, including 12 patents, 3 designs, and 4 trademarks.

Deputy Mayor Jang Sangkil said, "This was a meaningful time to reflect on the achievements of the New Vitality Plus Project and share opinions for the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas," and added, "I hope that the New Vitality Plus Project will present practical cooperation models to bridge the cultural and economic gap between urban and rural areas."