[Interview] Cheongyang Governor Kim Dongon: "Attracting Four Public Institutions... Creating an Industrial Complex to Open the Future"

"Decision on Third Term Bid to Be Made Soon...
Key to Increasing Resident Population Lies in Tourism, Healthcare, and Living Conditions"

Kim Dongon, Cheongyang County Governor

Kim Dongon, Governor of Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province, who has entered the fourth year of his eighth popularly elected term, shared his achievements to date, future plans, and his stance on running for a third term.

In an interview with Asia Economy on June 23, Governor Kim stated, "To overcome Cheongyang's structural limitations, I have achieved various results during the seventh and eighth terms," emphasizing, "Attracting four provincial-level public institutions and securing a budget of over 500 billion won are among the most notable accomplishments."

The four provincial-level public institutions attracted by Cheongyang County are: ▲Chungnam Social Economy Innovation Town ▲Chungnam Climate and Environment Education Center ▲Chungnam Student Health Promotion Integrated Education Experience Center ▲Chungnam Forest Resources Research Institute.

These institutions were ultimately chosen to be located in Cheongyang after fierce competition among eight cities and counties in South Chungcheong Province, making their significance even greater.

Governor Kim asserted, "Attracting the provincial park golf course and securing a budget of 500 billion won will play a decisive role in addressing Cheongyang's population decline and revitalizing the local economy."

In particular, regarding strategies to increase Cheongyang's resident population, he said, "What is more important than the simple number of people is expanding both the settled and associated populations." He added, "Our goal is to attract 400,000 to 500,000 annual visitors to the provincial park golf course, 450,000 visitors per year through sports marketing, and secure an associated population of around 3 million annually." To this end, efforts such as expanding accommodations, creating a vibrant town, and constructing a golf hotel are being pursued simultaneously.

He cited the creation of a "Cheongyang-style industrial complex" as the main project to focus on during his remaining term.

He explained, "Building the industrial complex is crucial for creating jobs for local youth and attracting new residents." He continued, "The project is already in its fifth year, and we are preparing to begin construction either by the end of this year or early next year."

Regarding Cheongyang being recognized nationwide as a model case for resolving healthcare blind spots, he emphasized, "Recruiting a hospital director with expertise and a strong sense of duty was decisive." He added, "Based on this, we have secured a total of seven specialists, and are now providing general hospital-level medical services."

On the question of running for a third term, he said, "Although I have not made a final decision yet, internally I am leaning toward running for a third term." He added, "Rather than being a politician who begs for votes, I want to remain a confident and capable governor until the end."

He also stressed, "Administration cannot be led by the governor alone. The voices of the residents are the direction of our policies," and added, "I will continue to devote myself wholeheartedly to Cheongyang's future during the remainder of my term."