Muan County Honored with Grand Prize at Local Autonomy Management Awards

Balanced Achievements in Five Key Areas
Comprehensive Administration Recognized by Residents

Kim San, the county governor, is posing for a commemorative photo with staff after receiving the Grand Prize at the 17th Gwangju-Jeonnam Local Autonomy Management Awards held on the 26th at the Olympic Memorial National Sports Center in Yeomju, Gwangju. Provided by Muan County

Muan County in South Jeolla Province received the Grand Prize at the 17th Gwangju-Jeonnam Local Autonomy Management Awards held on the 26th at the Olympic Memorial National Sports Center in Yeomju, Gwangju.

According to the county, this management award comprehensively evaluates policy achievements across seven categories, and the Grand Prize is given to local governments that achieve balanced results in at least five categories.

The county reaffirmed its status as an "Outstanding Local Government in Comprehensive Administration" by being recognized for balanced achievements in five core areas of county administration: administrative services, culture and tourism, health and welfare, economic revitalization and job creation, and safety and environment.

In the field of administrative services, the county was highly praised for its disaster response and innovation in civil service environments. During the Jeju Air accident, 175 dedicated public officials were urgently deployed to provide on-site administrative support. When a fire at the National Information Resources Service caused a system shutdown, the county established its own electronic civil service portal to prevent administrative disruptions. Other notable efforts included operating mobile civil service offices, installing unmanned kiosks with foreign language support, and introducing CCTV and wearable cameras in civil service offices to enhance accessibility and safety.

In the culture and tourism sector, not only were major regional events such as the Muan Lotus Festival, Hwangto Mudflat Festival, and YD Festival held, but everyday cultural programs like the Choui Seonsa Birth Culture Festival, Village Art Market, and special exhibitions at the Oh Seungwoo Art Museum were also revitalized. Strengthening social media promotion and supporting travel for tourism minorities through tailored tourism policies contributed to expanding the local tourism base.

The health and welfare sector focused on strengthening infectious disease response and addressing welfare blind spots. The county advanced its infectious disease response system through tuberculosis management, over 20,000 vaccinations annually, and operating eight disinfection teams. Food safety was also reinforced through the operation of the Children's Meal Management Support Center and the designation of food safety zones. Achievements included identifying 717 households in crisis, providing emergency support exceeding 500 million won, implementing self-sufficiency work programs, and operating community care centers to establish an integrated welfare system.

In economic revitalization and job creation, the county stood out for building a foundation for future industries and expanding local consumption. Attracting semiconductor, food, and logistics companies led to a total investment of 37.5 billion won and the creation of 114 jobs. The issuance of the Muan Love Gift Certificate reached 62.4 billion won annually, promoting local economic circulation. Effective economic policies such as youth entrepreneurship support, traditional market modernization, and the operation of a public delivery app also received positive reviews.

In the safety and environment sector, activities to strengthen the local safety net were prominent, including major accident prevention education, flood response campaigns, operation of 974 CCTV cameras, and maintenance of flood prevention facilities. Environmentally friendly policies such as improving food waste management and supporting the early scrapping of old diesel vehicles contributed to creating a sustainable local environment.

Kim San, Governor of Muan County, stated, "This Grand Prize is an achievement created together by public officials and residents, and it is official recognition of the excellence of Muan County's comprehensive administration. We will continue to implement policies that residents can truly feel, aiming to become a model local government nationwide."