Focus on Special Local Government, High-Tech Industrial Complex, and Ecotourism
Unprecedented "Policy Initiative" by a Basic Local Government
Suncheon City in South Jeolla Province has taken a proactive policy initiative ahead of the 21st presidential election by officially proposing its "Three Major Strategies and 18 Key Projects" to each political party.
This policy proposal is highly unusual in that it was independently organized and requested at the level of a basic local government, rather than a metropolitan government.
Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon stated, "This is a strategic choice to overcome the crisis of local extinction and to create new engines for future growth," adding, "It is the minimum requirement for Suncheon to become a model city for balanced national development."
Suncheon City has structured its 18 key projects around three major strategies: the establishment of a special local government and realization of a megacity, the creation of a future high-tech industrial belt, and the leap toward becoming a world-class ecological city.
The most notable project is the "Creation of a National Industrial Complex for Next-Generation Advanced Materials." Suncheon aims to attract next-generation advanced materials industries by linking with the industrial base of the Gwangyang Bay area, targeting both youth employment and the inflow of technology companies into the region. Other projects include the electrification of the Gyeongjeon Line, the establishment of a medical school and university hospital in South Jeolla, the creation of the Yeoja Bay National Marine Ecological Park, and the Namhaean Namjungkwon Sports Park. In addition, Suncheon has translated a wide range of local issues into policy pledges, covering tourism, industry, infrastructure, and public healthcare.
The fields of railroads, rivers, and environmental restoration are considered highly feasible, while the proposals to attract a national industrial complex and a space center are viewed as "bold suggestions." Since the electrification of the Gyeongjeon Line is already included in the national railway network plan, the likelihood of its adoption as a policy pledge is high. Projects such as the Dongcheon National River Maintenance Project and the Public Children's Rehabilitation Center are also aligned with the government's recent emphasis on climate response and strengthening welfare policies.
On the other hand, the creation of a new national industrial complex or the establishment of a space satellite data center may face significant challenges due to issues related to the national budget and existing site selection logic. Therefore, a clear explanation of Suncheon's unique advantages and connectivity must precede these projects to enhance their feasibility.
During every presidential election, metropolitan governments across the country have requested the inclusion of their policy pledges. However, it is rare for a basic local government to independently organize and propose its own set of policies. Typically, basic local governments convey their requests through metropolitan governments (such as South Jeolla Province) or rely on local members of the National Assembly. Suncheon has gone beyond this, making a "declaration of policy independence" by taking direct action.
This initiative is being evaluated as a pioneering strategy in terms of securing policy leadership, highlighting Suncheon's unique issues, and increasing political attention during the presidential election period.
A representative of a local civil society organization in Suncheon commented, "This policy proposal for the presidential election is a bold attempt by Suncheon City to demonstrate its policy capabilities as a basic local government. However, some pledges may require further supplementation in terms of feasibility and practicality. If Suncheon City presents a concrete, step-by-step implementation roadmap that incorporates both regional characteristics and future industry trends, it is expected not only to increase the likelihood of these pledges being adopted for the presidential election, but also to further enhance Suncheon's status as a 'local survival strategy city.'"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
