Jeonnam Hampyeong County agreed with Jeonnam Province on executing the "Hampyeong Future Regional Development Vision Project" to overcome the regional extinction crisis and promote the leap of the southwestern region, as well as attracting additional policy projects. Photo by Jeonnam Hampyeong County
Jeonnam Hampyeong County announced on the 11th that it had reached an agreement with Jeonnam Province to execute the "Hampyeong Future Regional Development Vision Project" aimed at overcoming the regional extinction crisis and promoting the advancement of the southwestern region, as well as to attract additional policy projects.
The meeting was attended by Governor Kim Yungrok, County Mayor Lee Sangik, provincial and county officials, and Oh Minsu, Chairperson of the Hampyeong County Social Organizations Council. They shared the progress and future plans of the project and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation.
The "Future Regional Development Vision Project," jointly promoted by Hampyeong County and Jeonnam Province, was announced as a strategic project on September 5, 2023. It consists of 17 detailed projects with a total scale of 1.8409 trillion won. Except for large-scale road projects that require inclusion in national plans, the project is scheduled for completion by 2033.
On this day, in addition to discussions on the existing projects, the county and province also agreed to pursue new projects, including: the creation of a 1-million-pyeong RE100 National Industrial Complex, the development of a 680,000-pyeong future convergence-type advanced new city, and the establishment of a direct data center complex (with a capacity of 40MW and attracting five operating companies).
Discussions were also held regarding improvements to national highways and road infrastructure. The county explained the need to upgrade the 12-kilometer, two-lane section of National Route 24 connecting Nasanmyeon and Daedongmyeon to a four-lane road, as well as the construction of an urban planning road in the original downtown district of Hampyeong-eup. The county requested financial support from Jeonnam Province for these local issues.
Improvements to energy-related systems were also a key agenda item. Both sides agreed to jointly promote amendments to the Local Tax Act related to the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant. They will work together until the bill passes the National Assembly plenary session to raise the local tax per 1kW of nuclear power generation from 1 won to 2 won, and the nuclear power tax from 0.25 won to 0.5 won.
In addition, they plan to propose legislation to expand the application radius of the "Act on Support for Areas Surrounding Nuclear Power Plants" from the current 5 kilometers to 30 kilometers, which corresponds to the radiological emergency planning zone. The foundation for administrative cooperation in the region will also be strengthened, as the county and province agreed to expand personnel exchanges to ensure smooth project implementation.
County Mayor Lee Sangik emphasized, "Relying only on existing projects has limitations in securing a long-term growth foundation. It is necessary to build a strategic industrial ecosystem, such as the RE100 National Industrial Complex and the development of advanced new cities and smart cities, to respond to the era of energy transition."
Governor Kim Yungrok stated, "We will establish a new policy vision for Hampyeong County, including the attraction of the RE100 National Industrial Complex proposed by the county, and hold a 'Policy Vision Tour' in the second half of this year. We will also actively support local issues. The province will work together and provide support so that the future vision projects envisioned by Hampyeong County can bring about significant changes."
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