From Welfare to Economy:
Delivering Tangible Results Across All Sectors for a More Livable County Administration
Sangkeun Lee, Governor of Goseong County in South Gyeongsang Province, has been selected in the Communication Management category of the '2025 Korea's Influential CEO' awards, drawing attention as a model for communication-driven administration.
Goseong County announced that Governor Lee was chosen as the recipient in the Communication Management category at the '2025 Korea's Influential CEO' awards ceremony, which was held at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
The awards ceremony, held on July 4, 2025, was hosted by TV Chosun and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership, and the Education Committee. The event recognizes top executives who have enhanced their organizations' future competitiveness through innovative leadership and management performance.
Since taking office as the 8th popularly elected governor of Goseong County, Governor Lee has prioritized fulfilling promises made to residents, focusing on restoring transparency and trust in administration. He demonstrated his ability to faithfully implement policies by achieving the highest rating in the pledge fulfillment evaluation conducted by the Korea Manifesto Implementation Headquarters.
In particular, Goseong County ranked first among counties for two consecutive years at the Korea Urban Awards, organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, earning recognition for its advanced and sustainable urban policies. Additionally, the county received the highest 'A' grade in the province for two consecutive years in the comprehensive civil service evaluation, significantly boosting residents' satisfaction.
Furthermore, Goseong County achieved first place in Gyeongnam Province for two consecutive years in attracting visiting sports teams, generating an economic impact of 22.7 billion KRW in 2024 alone, which has greatly contributed to revitalizing the local economy.
With the designation of Yangchon and Yongjeong districts in Donghae-myeon as the first Opportunity Development Zones in Gyeongnam Province, approximately 3,600 jobs are expected to be created, and the economic ripple effect is projected to reach 3 trillion KRW. Additionally, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Complex Town was designated as the nation's first anti-drone training center, marking significant progress in establishing a foundation for future high-tech industries. The inscription of the Songhakdong Ancient Tombs as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has also served to widely promote Goseong's historical and cultural value on the global stage.
In addition, the county is actively pursuing welfare policies that encompass all aspects of residents' lives. Through customized welfare programs for all generations, from children to seniors, tangible results are being achieved. The county has strengthened its care system by operating an emergency care SOS center, providing ICT-based welfare check services, and enacting ordinances for autonomous disease control teams. It has also greatly improved access to medical care by expanding night-time medical services, offering implant support for low-income residents aged 60 to 64, and extending shingles vaccinations to all residents.
In the field of senior welfare, the county has improved the quality of life for the elderly by expanding participation in senior employment programs, providing food subsidies to senior centers for the first time in the province, improving seating culture in senior centers, and supporting operating expenses.
Policies such as the Youth Dream Voucher for children and adolescents, year-round daycare centers, and expanded childcare services have established Goseong as a city conducive to raising children. The supply of rental housing and the small school revitalization policy have encouraged young generations to settle in the area, injecting new vitality into the local community. The effectiveness of these policies has been officially recognized through numerous institutional awards in areas such as health promotion.
Governor Lee stated, "This award was made possible by the trust of our residents and the dedication of public officials," adding, "I will continue to focus on delivering tangible results based on communication with residents and do my utmost to make Goseong a better place to live."
Governor Lee's communication-centered administration and resident-focused policies are particularly significant as they offer practical solutions for small and medium-sized local cities facing the risk of decline.
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