[Interview] Mayor Park Dongsi of Sacheon Reflects on Three Years in Office ... Plans for the Year Ahead

Firmly Establishing Itself as the Aerospace Capital of Korea

Sacheon City in South Gyeongsang Province is firmly establishing itself as the "Aerospace Capital of Korea" by expanding infrastructure related to the aviation industry, creating an ecosystem that attracts specialized talent and companies, and marking a national turning point with the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration.

This has been made possible thanks to the strong drive and balanced policy leadership of Sacheon Mayor Park Dongsi over the past three years, which have led to the establishment of the foundation for an aerospace-specialized city, revitalization of the local economy, and comprehensive innovation in welfare, culture, and education.

Furthermore, Sacheon is being recognized for solidifying its position as a central hub of marine tourism on the southern coast by building a stay-type tourism belt centered around the Sacheon Sea Cable Car, the Rainbow Coastal Road, and Samcheonpo Port.

Photo by Mayor Park Dongsi

We met with Mayor Park Dongsi to hear about his journey over the past three years and his plans for the remaining year of his term.

▶ Three years have passed since the start of the 8th popularly elected administration. Looking back, how do you feel?

Over the past three years, Sacheon City has worked tirelessly with our citizens to create a better and happier Sacheon. Looking back, there were many difficult moments, but the most rewarding achievements were the passage of the special law for the Korea Aerospace Administration in the National Assembly and successfully attracting the headquarters to Sacheon.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the provincial governor, our local National Assembly members, other National Assembly members from Gyeongnam, and the mayors and county governors who helped Sacheon rise as the Aerospace Capital of Korea. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the citizens of Sacheon and the residents of Gyeongnam for their active support and cooperation.

▶ Which policy do you value the most?

If I had to choose the most meaningful and highly valued policy during my tenure, I would say it is the "attraction of the Korea Aerospace Administration and the subsequent establishment of the foundation for an aerospace city," as previously mentioned. Sacheon has continuously built its capabilities as a center of the aviation industry for a long time, and as a result, we were able to successfully attract the Korea Aerospace Administration in 2024.

This was not just about attracting a central government agency; it became a turning point that completely transformed the future industrial structure of Sacheon. In line with this, we have been proactively fostering specialized aerospace industry talent, creating clusters of related manufacturing companies, and building an interconnected industrial ecosystem. Going forward, we will continue to provide administrative support to expand the base of the aerospace sector, solidify our position as an aerospace hub city, and pursue the enactment of special laws and policy proposals to help Sacheon grow into a "global aerospace hub city beyond Korea."

▶ What do you see as the growth engines for Sacheon's continued development?

The growth engines for Sacheon's continued development lie in harmoniously developing both the aerospace industry and the marine tourism industry as the two wings of Sacheon's progress. The basic plan for nurturing these two pillars includes establishing an aerospace complex city centered on the Korea Aerospace Administration, attracting anchor aerospace companies to strengthen the industrial base, and intensively fostering the marine tourism industry by combining the tourism resources of Hallyeohaesang National Park, represented by the Sacheon Sea Cable Car and Aramaru Aquarium, with fresh seafood offerings.

In addition, to revitalize the urban areas that may lag behind compared to the towns and villages where the new Korea Aerospace Administration building will be constructed, it is necessary to establish a metropolitan transportation network, such as the Aerospace High-Speed Railway and expressways connecting Samcheonpo Port and major metropolitan areas. We will do our utmost to ensure that these basic plans and metropolitan transportation network expansion projects are reflected in the new government's national agenda.

▶ The aerospace complex city is entering a new phase with the launch of the new government. What are your strategies for moving the project forward?

With the launch of the new government, the project to create the aerospace complex city has entered a truly critical period. The essential tasks for building the aerospace complex city were included in the President's campaign pledges during the last presidential election. Now, we will devote all our efforts to ensuring that each element?such as the early completion of the new Korea Aerospace Administration headquarters, enactment of special laws, construction of a metropolitan transportation network, and establishment of educational institutions?are reflected in and realized through the national agenda.

First, the enactment of a special law is both the long-held wish of the people of Gyeongnam and an essential requirement for the industry, as well as a national rationale for advancing the aerospace industry. The aerospace complex city is not merely an urban development project; it is a core initiative for Korea's leap into a space powerhouse. Without a strong legal foundation at this point, the functions and status of the Korea Aerospace Administration will inevitably be diminished.

Recently, there has been regional conflict due to National Assembly member Seo Chunho's proposal to amend the "Korea Aerospace Administration Special Law." However, the success and development of the aerospace industry must transcend regional self-interest and focus on advancing the future of aerospace centered on the Korea Aerospace Administration, enabling it to become a national strategic industry. In addition to constructing the aerospace complex city, we will also closely cooperate and communicate with relevant ministries to ensure that important projects such as creating an industry-academia-research cluster, establishing a science high school, and improving residential conditions are seamlessly included in the current government's national agenda.

▶ The development of the National Aerospace Industrial Complex has been completed. How are land sales and occupancy progressing?

The Sacheon District of the Gyeongnam National Aerospace Industrial Complex has signed sales contracts with Doowon Heavy Industries, the Knowledge Industry Center, and the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, resulting in a current sales rate of about 14%. As the sales of key sites such as the Korea Aerospace Administration headquarters, the Satellite Development Innovation Center, and the shared factory for start-ups proceed in sequence, we anticipate that the planned sales rate will exceed 50%.

In particular, the city plans to collaborate with the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation and LH to establish an aerospace parts manufacturing cluster within the National Aerospace Industrial Complex. Once this cluster is established, it is expected to induce a chain demand for occupancy by related companies, continuously increasing the sales rate of the national industrial complex. We will continue to make every effort to strategically attract promising companies that will have a significant ripple effect on the local economy.

▶ Are there any additional plans for developing industrial complexes related to aerospace?

Last December, we launched a city development plan study to create an aerospace complex city in Yonghyeon-myeon, integrating residential, transportation, cultural, industrial, educational, and research functions. With the Korea Aerospace Administration headquarters confirmed to be located in the Sacheon District of the Gyeongnam National Aerospace Industrial Complex, it is necessary to designate and develop additional industrial complexes to address the shortage of industrial land for advanced industrial complexes and aerospace clusters centered around the Korea Aerospace Administration. We plan to comprehensively review and promote additional industrial complex locations, scale, and funding plans.

▶ Residents are suffering from noise caused by the military airport. Are there any measures for tangible compensation?

Sacheon Airfield is a military airfield, and compensation is provided in areas designated as noise-affected zones under the "Military Noise Compensation Act" (designation announced on December 29, 2021). However, as of now, there are no residents living within the designated noise-affected areas, so no compensation has been provided. In addition, although aircraft noise has increased due to test flights of the KF-21 prototype at Sacheon Airfield, the current law does not apply to prototypes, so we have proposed amending the law and are continuing discussions with the Ministry of National Defense and related agencies.

In addition to addressing institutional shortcomings through legal amendments, Sacheon City will actively work to provide tangible compensation by considering aircraft noise impact surveys and studies on the health effects on residents.

▶ The development of Daejin Industrial Complex has stalled. What is the current status?

The issue of SK Ecoplant's secondary battery and waste landfill facility, which caused resident conflict and project delays last year, has been effectively resolved since the city notified SK Ecoplant of a "conditional MOU." This conclusion is based on similar cases: SK Ecoplant withdrew from a similar project in Gyeongju around the same time, expressed its intention to withdraw in Sangju, and the project has been at a standstill in Yesan County since SK was notified to exclude waste treatment.

Currently, construction is proceeding according to the original industrial complex plan, and the city will provide administrative support to ensure the industrial complex is completed as intended. However, if construction is delayed or measures for resident complaints are not faithfully implemented, we will continue to monitor and take appropriate action in accordance with relevant laws to minimize resident harm.

▶ What is the progress on the Sanam?Jeongdong and Sacheon?Jinju national highway bypass projects?

Regarding the Sanam?Jeongdong national highway bypass, the Sacheon?Jinju section of National Route 3 currently has a daily traffic volume of about 35,000 vehicles, reaching the road's capacity and experiencing severe congestion at all times. To resolve chronic congestion on National Route 3, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport included the Sanam?Jeongdong national highway bypass construction project, with a total project cost of about 170 billion KRW, in the 5th National and Local Road Five-Year Plan, and final administrative procedures are underway with the goal of starting construction next year.

Once the Sanam?Jeongdong bypass is completed, it is expected to alleviate chronic congestion in the Sacheon section of National Route 3. In addition, Sacheon City and Jinju City have proposed the second phase of the Sanam?Jeongdong bypass project?the construction of the Sacheon?Jinju Jeongchon national highway bypass?to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This project was selected as a candidate for a comprehensive preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in January this year, with the final selection results to be announced in January next year.

Only when both the first and second phases are completed will the bypass fully achieve its purpose of replacing National Route 3. In addition to the chronic congestion bypass project, we will do our best to ensure the smooth implementation of three major metropolitan transportation network projects essential for the aerospace city: the Aerospace Line national railway network, upgrading the international airport, and the new Aerospace Expressway.

▶ With Sacheon and Jinju deciding to build separate incineration plants, the plan for a regional incineration plant seems to have fallen through. How is Sacheon proceeding?

Sacheon City and Jinju City held several consultations under the mediation of Gyeongnam Province to promote a regional incineration plant, but due to differences in positions and resident acceptance issues, the consultations ultimately broke down. As a result, Sacheon City is proceeding with the construction of its own incineration plant, having conducted a public competition for candidate sites and completed the formation of a site selection committee.

The site selection committee is composed of resident representatives, environmental experts, city council members, and public officials. Once the committee selects the optimal site, we will proceed with the incineration plant expansion project without delay.

▶ Various measures seem necessary to prevent population decline in urban areas. What policies are being pursued?

The urban area is the original downtown of Sacheon, where the roots of culture and community remain strong. However, due to a lack of jobs and residential infrastructure and an aging population, outmigration continues. Therefore, rather than simply encouraging new residents, we are focusing on creating an attractive urban environment where visitors want to stay and live, not just visit temporarily.

We are currently developing the Rainbow Ecological Trail connecting Neukdo and Sindo, the Nam-il Future Nam-il Mare project to revitalize the region, and the Sensangji Theme Tourism Attraction project. In addition, the Namildae Resort is being developed as a hotel project with private investment, and we are working to create and utilize additional tourism resources to attract longer-staying tourists and invigorate the local economy. These marine tourism development projects are expected to create jobs in various fields, including tourism services, youth entrepreneurship, and the sale of local specialties.

Moreover, to actively address the low birthrate issue, we are expanding infrastructure related to childbirth. We have reopened the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, are promoting the construction of a public postpartum care center, and have opened a shared childcare center to provide one-stop support from childbirth to postpartum care and early childcare. In addition, in line with the high proportion of elderly residents, we are strengthening care and health management systems and building a robust welfare network to ensure that no resident is left behind and everyone can live safely and comfortably.

▶ Are you preparing countermeasures following the closure of the thermal power plant?

The closure of coal-fired power plants under the Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand is a joint task that requires cooperation among the government, local governments, and the five power generation companies. In December last year, we established the "Coal Power Conversion Council" to create a roadmap for the transition from coal power. The Sacheon-Namhae-Hadong Administrative Council is jointly responding by sending legislative requests to the National Assembly to urge the passage of a special law supporting areas affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants, which is currently pending in the National Assembly. Going forward, we will work with Gyeongnam Province and power companies to develop effective countermeasures in accordance with the government roadmap.

▶ Sacheon, Namhae, and Hadong have launched an administrative council and begun full-scale activities. What synergy do you expect from exchanges with neighboring local governments?

Although Sacheon, Namhae, and Hadong are neighboring regions, each has its own unique attractions and strengths. Sacheon boasts well-developed aerospace and marine tourism infrastructure, Namhae offers outstanding natural and healing resources, and Hadong is rich in traditional culture and agricultural specialties such as green tea. By connecting these diverse regional resources, we can achieve results that would be difficult for each city or county to accomplish alone.

For example, by developing travel packages that link tourist attractions in all three regions, we can offer more enriching travel courses and invigorate the local economy. In addition, we can work together to find practical solutions to common issues such as the closure of thermal power plants.

On May 28, the first regular meeting of the Sacheon-Namhae-Hadong Administrative Council was held, where an agenda item urging the enactment of a special law to support areas affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants was adopted and sent to the National Assembly and relevant ministries.

In June, the three cities and counties also held an intercity sports festival to promote communication and harmony. I believe that by working together to address local issues, we can achieve true coexistence and cooperation. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen cooperation centered on the Sacheon-Namhae-Hadong Administrative Council, moving beyond mere exchanges of opinions to deliver tangible results that many people can feel.

▶ For the remaining year of the 8th popularly elected administration, what will you focus on?

Thanks to the active support and cooperation of our citizens over the past three years of the 8th administration, we have been able to pursue many projects for the development of our city. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our citizens once again. In the remaining year, I will review the 8th administration, focus on fulfilling the pledges and unfinished projects promised to the citizens, and prepare for the future by checking the direction and vision for Sacheon's continued progress.

Furthermore, since the construction of the aerospace complex city requires significant costs and time, I will concentrate all administrative efforts on passing the special law for the construction of the aerospace complex city, doing my utmost with a spirit of determination. I earnestly ask the citizens of Sacheon and the residents of Gyeongnam to actively participate and support the early enactment of the special law for the construction of the aerospace complex city, just as they did when attracting the Korea Aerospace Administration.