Namwon Accelerates Major Transformation... Embarking on Leap Toward a 'Greater Namwon'

Focusing on Five Key Municipal Tasks:
Livelihood Stabilization and Fostering Future Industries

Panoramic view of Namwon City, Jeonbuk. Provided by Namwon City, Jeonbuk

Namwon City in Jeonbuk will complete a major transformation of its municipal administration under the 8th popularly elected government this year, focusing on five key tasks such as restoring livelihoods and fostering future growth industries, and will begin its leap forward as a 'Greater Namwon.'

On January 2, Namwon City held its 2026 New Year's kick-off ceremony at the Chunhyang Culture and Arts Center and unveiled the blueprint for its new municipal agenda. At the event, Mayor Choi Kyungsik stated, "If the past three years were a time of sowing seeds for the future, this year will be the year we deliver those fruits to our citizens," adding, "Together with our 80,000 citizens, we will complete Namwon's great transformation."

'Stabilizing Livelihoods' as the Top Priority... Advancing as a Specialized Police Education City

Amid a prolonged economic downturn, the city will provide a 200,000 won livelihood stabilization grant to each of its 76,032 residents before the Lunar New Year holiday to ensure the stability of citizens' lives. The total amount of 15.2 billion won will be distributed in the form of Namwon Love Gift Certificate prepaid cards.

The city will also accelerate efforts to establish itself as a public institution hub by attracting national agencies. The National Youth Sports Complex, with a total project cost of 49 billion won, is scheduled to break ground in the second half of this year and open in 2028.

In addition, Namwon plans to solidify its status as a 'specialized police education city' by attracting the Second Central Police Academy and linking it with the Police Training Center, which is scheduled for completion in 2030.

Efforts to foster advanced industries that will sustain Namwon for the next 100 years are also gaining momentum. Building on its selection as a drone demonstration city for three consecutive years, the city will upgrade its drone festival into a 'Drone and Robotics Industry Expo' and focus on attracting related companies.

In the bio industry, Namwon aims to become a leading city in K-Bio by developing plant exosome technology and designating a green bio industry zone. The city will also secure new growth engines by discovering second-phase projects such as establishing an insect industry hub complex.

Completion of 'Hampau Art Valley'... Opening the Era of 10 Million Tourists

In the culture and tourism sector, the city plans to complete Hampau Art Valley ahead of schedule by 2029 to realize its vision of becoming a 'city of 10 million cultural and artistic tourists.' Following the Children's Art Plaza and Digital Theme Park, the city will also establish a Modern Ottchil Woodcraft Museum and strengthen institutional support by seeking designation as a 'Cultural Industry Promotion Zone' by Jeonbuk Province.

The 96th Chunhyang Festival will be reborn as a global performing arts festival incorporating K-Culture, and efforts to have it inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage will be in full swing ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2030.

The city will invest the 87.1 billion won secured last year to create an eco-energy smart farm innovation complex and a large-scale smart farm start-up complex, supporting the stable settlement of young farmers.

To improve settlement conditions, the city will promote 'zero public postpartum care center fees' using Hometown Love Donations and expand Dalbit Children's Hospital to provide full-day services on weekends and holidays.

As a housing measure, the city plans to increase the number of Pi-um House youth apartments to 208 units, completing its vision of a 'small but attractive city where people want to live.'