Park Beomin, Governor of Geumsan: "Strengthening Communication with Residents... Implementing Resident-Centered Governance"

Focusing on Internal Strength and Expanding Achievements Outward
with an 'Internal and External Fulfillment' Approach for 2026

Sunrise event in Geumsan County in 2026 (Photo by Geumsan County)

Park Beomin, Governor of Geumsan County, stated, "Despite challenging circumstances, we have continued to move forward step by step for the development of Geumsan County by working together and caring for one another." He added, "Now is the time for us to run together, building on Geumsan's excellence, pride, and know-how."

He further emphasized, "I ask for your continued interest and support so that our multifaceted efforts for the globalization of Geumsan can yield more practical and tangible results."

Governor Park outlined his vision for the new year, the Year of the Red Horse in 2026, pledging to adopt an approach of 'internal and external fulfillment'-strengthening the county's foundation while expanding its achievements outward.

In particular, he plans to enhance communication with residents and implement resident-centered governance that brings about real, tangible changes felt by the citizens.

To this end, the county will focus its initiatives on resident settlement, the local economy, rural vitality, and underserved areas.

Projects such as the Atopy Natural Healing Village, the Chungnam-style Live Together initiative, and the Sangri New Village Project are underway to secure urban growth engines centered on resident settlement and to complete a Geumsan-style population policy model.

Through the '100 Villages Project,' the county will reorganize rural spaces, improve village landscapes, and expand living social overhead capital (SOC), thereby developing a Geumsan-style population policy that integrates jobs, housing, and culture at the village level.

In addition, the county plans to significantly increase investment in education to nurture future local talent and promote lifelong learning. It will also establish the 'Moyeoyu' Town for youth settlement and youth share houses to provide a foundation for young people to pursue their dreams in Geumsan.

With a focus on the local economy, the county aims to create a virtuous cycle by revitalizing the ginseng and medicinal herb sectors, specialized agriculture, and the tourism industry.

To enhance the brand value of Geumsan as the world’s ginseng capital, the county will support high-quality ginseng production, promote consumption, develop new products, pioneer new markets, and establish a safe distribution system.

Furthermore, in response to climate change and new agricultural markets, the county will intensively foster high-quality and new income-generating crops. It will also strengthen support for small businesses, provide management stabilization funds for SMEs, renovate aging facilities in agro-industrial complexes, subsidize logistics costs, and construct a complex cultural center in the Ginseng and Medicinal Herb Specialized Agro-Industrial Complex to expand the industrial base and create jobs in local commercial districts.

The county will expand tourism infrastructure by leveraging Geumsan’s natural resources, such as developing the Geumgang Banguri Ecological Trail and auxiliary facilities for the Wollyeongsan Suspension Bridge, and will also develop tourism products linked to local festivals.

To boost rural vitality, the county will modernize residential infrastructure and provide convenient living services.

Resolving inconveniences in daily life for residents is a top priority, with active efforts to supply city gas to Chubu, improve aging water supply systems in 10 towns and villages, and develop agricultural and fishing water resources as well as expand local water supply systems.

To protect the lives and safety of residents, the county will establish a smart city integrated safety platform and designate areas with a history of safety incidents as special management zones to implement targeted safety measures.

To proactively address climate change and create a pleasant living environment, the county will establish climate-responsive urban forests and native forests, as well as carry out rural village sewage system improvements and integrated intensive pollution stream improvement projects.

Focusing on underserved areas, the county will strengthen health and welfare infrastructure that residents can truly feel.

To promote health in daily life, the county will develop integrated parks and sports facilities, and establish a comprehensive welfare safety net to effectively deliver essential welfare services to vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.

In particular, the county plans to foster the Disability Welfare Center and Bandabi Sports Center as regional welfare hubs that combine sports, rehabilitation, and welfare services.

Additionally, the county will transition its administrative information system to the cloud using digital technologies and implement AI-IoT-based senior health management, thereby realizing digital administration connected to residents' daily lives.

The county will ensure that the Public Health Center and the Happy Dream Center are completed on schedule without any delays.