Koo Yooncheol: "Taking the Lead in Revitalizing Local Consumption and Tourism"

Ministry of Economy and Finance, Imsil County, and National Pension Service Sign Partnership Agreement

On September 11, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol stated, "The development and happiness of local regions form the foundation of the national philosophy of 'A Happier Korea Together,'" adding, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance will also take the lead in revitalizing local consumption and tourism."

On this day, Deputy Prime Minister Koo signed a mutual cooperation agreement with Imsil County and the National Pension Service at Imsil Cheese Theme Park. This agreement, which is the second of its kind following the one signed with Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province on August 28, is part of the "Local Revitalization and Win-Win Consumption Promotion Plan" announced on September 7. It aims to strengthen the foundation for mutual consumption and boost the local economy. In his commemorative speech, Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, "I hope that the partnership between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Imsil will serve as a good example of mutual cooperation and spread nationwide."

The agreement ceremony was attended by Shim Min, Governor of Imsil County, Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province, and Kim Taehyun, Chairman of the National Pension Service, among others. With this agreement as a starting point, all parties agreed to work together to promote practical measures for mutual cooperation, restore the livelihood economy, and overcome the crisis of local extinction.

After the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Koo visited Imsil Cheese Theme Park, one of Imsil's major tourist attractions, where he observed the cheese production process for which Imsil is famous as Korea's first cheese-producing region, and participated in a cheese-making experience. Imsil Cheese Theme Park offers hands-on programs such as cheese and pizza making, and hosts a variety of seasonal festivals, including the Imsil N Cheese Festival and the Santa Festival.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo stated, "I expect that, starting from this agreement ceremony and on-site visit, nationwide interest in Imsil's outstanding tourist attractions will increase, leading to more visits and consumption." He added, "We will also promptly prepare the 'Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Measures,' including plans to promote domestic tourism and consumption during the Chuseok holiday and the APEC Summit, so that the recent recovery in consumption will become a major wave invigorating the overall domestic economy."