Year-End Address:
"I Will Lead County Administration with Humility in the New Year"
Goo Bokgyu, Hwasun County Governor.
Goo Bokgyu, County Governor of Hwasun, stated in his year-end address, "The achievements of 2025 are assets that will brighten Hwasun's future," adding, "In the coming new year, I will continue to prioritize the lives of our residents and lead the county administration with humility."
Governor Goo emphasized, "This year, Hwasun County turned the crisis of local extinction into an opportunity, achieving significant results. In the 2026 Local Extinction Response Fund investment plan evaluation, the county received the highest rating and secured 12 billion won, the largest amount nationwide. This has established a financial foundation to continue implementing population policies."
He continued, "The 10,000-won rental housing program for young people and newlyweds, which started in Hwasun, has spread nationwide as a model for population policy, and we have completed the supply of 300 units as of this year. The '1,000-won 24-Hour Childcare Center' has been re-designated until July 2027, helping to address gaps in childcare services. The multicultural team dedicated to Korean nationals, operated for the first time in the country, also gained attention for its field-oriented administration," explaining the year's achievements.
As a result of these policy effects, the number of newborns in Hwasun is expected to increase by more than 40% compared to 2022. Scholarship policies have also been expanded, including support for global cultural experiences for youth and entrance preparation grants for new students.
Governor Goo stated, "There were also remarkable achievements in the tourism sector. The Dolmen Autumn Flower Festival recorded the highest number of visitors ever, and major tourist attractions such as the Hwasuncheon Flower River Music Fountain, Gaemisan Observatory, and Namsan Light Park welcomed more than 600,000 visitors. The Hwasun Park Golf Course has surpassed a cumulative total of 130,000 visitors, establishing itself as a national attraction."
He added, "In agriculture, Hwasun Farm achieved annual sales of 6 billion won, and the opening of the Chunyang branch of the Agricultural Machinery Rental Service and the completion of the Complex Distribution Center have strengthened the agricultural foundation. The introduction of foreign seasonal workers has also helped alleviate the rural labor shortage. The Economic Revitalization Project for Mining Closure Areas passed the preliminary feasibility study and secured 70 billion won in national funding, while Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global company, moved into the Biopharmaceutical Industrial Complex, establishing a hub for the bio industry."
He also noted, "In the area of public welfare, we have supported the local economy through measures such as providing livelihood stabilization funds to all residents, special discounts on the Hwasun Love Gift Certificate, and expanding public jobs. Welfare policies such as the opening of the Hwasun Community Center, the village doctor system, and blanket laundry services have also been expanded. As a result, Hwasun County received the highest rating in the pledge fulfillment evaluation, the top rating for comprehensive civil service evaluation for two consecutive years, four awards in the field of social welfare, and the Prime Minister's Award for disaster management."
In conclusion, Governor Goo said, "The advice, suggestions, warm encouragement, and sincere counsel from residents throughout the year will be faithfully reflected in county administration. In the upcoming Year of the Horse, I will continue to lead the county with even greater humility so that each and every resident can enjoy a happier life."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
