After the Launch of the 8th Popularly Elected Administration,
Mayor SungHyun Baek's Strong Leadership Drives Innovation in Defense, Agriculture, and Tourism
Visible Improvements in Living Conditions
Nonsan in South Chungcheong Province has undergone a complete transformation in 1,000 days. Since SungHyun Baek took office as the 8th popularly elected mayor of Nonsan in July 2022, the city has achieved remarkable results in three key sectors: defense industry, agriculture, and tourism, fundamentally changing its urban paradigm.
According to Nonsan City on July 11, immediately after taking office, Mayor Baek established a strategy based on the city's identity as a "defense city" and succeeded in attracting the National Defense Industrial Complex in 2023.
Notably, the city advanced the land compensation negotiations, originally scheduled for 2026, by more than a year to July 2025, setting a national precedent for "speedy administration."
So far, six defense-related companies have signed investment agreements totaling 144.7 billion won, and follow-up measures such as the construction of a substation and the establishment of a research center are also underway.
In the agricultural sector, the city expanded its traditional strawberry-focused agriculture through industrialization, distribution innovation, and globalization.
By actively introducing smart farm technology, establishing an agricultural product distribution support center, and expanding contract farming with agricultural cooperatives, the city has built a robust system.
In particular, securing the hosting rights for the "2027 World Strawberry Industry Expo" has laid the foundation for Nonsan to emerge as a global agricultural event city. The Strawberry Expo is expected to attract 1.54 million visitors and generate an economic impact of approximately 370 billion won.
In the area around Tapjeong Lake, private investment projects worth 310 billion won?including a condominium, water park, and convention center?are planned, and, thanks to Mayor Baek's strong commitment, the forest protection zone has also been lifted.
Additionally, interconnected content such as a circular walking trail, the Mulbit Complex Cultural Center, and an arts village are transforming Tapjeong Lake into a stay-type tourist destination.
A breakthrough has also been achieved in resolving the odor problem at the Gwangseok pig farming complex, which had been a controversial issue for nearly 30 years.
By devising a "smart livestock complex" plan ahead of the central government, the city succeeded in securing national funding and is now pursuing eco-friendly solutions such as a resource-circulating energy project.
In addition, citizen-oriented policies such as the installation of an escalator at Nonsan Station, expansion of sports facilities, and balanced development projects connecting the old downtown and rural areas are being implemented, improving the quality of life for residents.
Mayor SungHyun Baek stated, "Nonsan is no longer a remote city. It is growing into a city attracting central government attention and investment," adding, "Now, we will accelerate precision administration toward completion."
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