From Rural to Urban: Yecheon Administration's Expansion Proven by 66 Awards

Passing the Test of Administrative Strength Amid New Government City Demands
Four Consecutive Years of Growth in Institutional Commendations

Yecheon County distinguished itself across central, regional, and private sector evaluations throughout 2025, receiving a total of 66 institutional commendations.

The number of awards steadily increased from 49 in 2022, to 52 in 2023, and 55 in 2024. In 2025, Yecheon County set a new record, marking four consecutive years of growth.

Yecheon County Office

This achievement is especially significant given the sharp rise in urban administrative demand following the development of the new Gyeongbuk Provincial Government City. The county-level administration, originally rooted in agricultural and rural affairs, has expanded to encompass urban administration, welfare and safety, as well as cultural and environmental policies. This process has elevated both the balance and completeness of Yecheon County's governance.

In 2025, the awards were distributed evenly: 20 at the central level, 42 at the regional level, and 4 from private sector evaluations. The prize funds secured through these awards amounted to 5.9 billion won, with an additional 1.3 billion won in prize money, resulting in tangible financial assets for the county government.

Notable examples include: ▲Outstanding Institution for the National Mental Investment Support Project ▲Top Performer in Gyeongsangbuk-do Regional Development Project Assessment ▲Top Performer in Gyeongsangbuk-do Rural Development ▲Outstanding City/County for Carbon Neutrality Practices ▲First Grade in Annual Evaluation for Orchard Sector in Horticultural Industry Development Plan ▲Top Performer in Public Museum Evaluation ▲Outstanding Institution in the Hometown Love Donation Contest ▲Outstanding Institution in Disaster Management Evaluation ▲Outstanding Local Government in Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon Execution. These achievements highlight comprehensive successes across agriculture, safety, welfare, culture, and the environment.

Significant changes are also evident in indicators reflecting living conditions and quality of life. In 2023, Yecheon County ranked first nationwide among counties in the “Livable City” safety evaluation. In 2024, its regional development index, announced by the Korea Rural Economic Institute, jumped from 153rd to 59th place. In 2025, the county ranked first nationwide in the mental health category of the Korea Health Index, published by the Seoul National University Health Culture Project Group, providing quantitative evidence of resident-focused policy outcomes.

A county official stated, “Even as the administrative environment changes rapidly, our commitment to the fundamentals has led to increasing achievements each year. We will continue to enhance the overall quality of county administration to ensure balanced development between rural and urban areas.”

With the development of the new provincial government city, Yecheon County’s administration has now moved beyond the traditional boundaries of “rural administration,” entering a complex administrative phase that manages both urban and rural areas simultaneously. The figure of 66 institutional commendations is not just a list of accomplishments, but a clear indicator that policy planning, execution, and on-site implementation are working organically in response to rapidly changing administrative demands.

While a broader administrative focus can often lead to instability, Yecheon County has instead turned this expansion into a competitive advantage. Whether these achievements will remain a one-time record or become the foundation for a sustainable regional governance model will be determined by the county’s future administration.