Naju City Concludes Dialogue with Residents Tour... Fostering Understanding and Support

Touring 20 Towns and Districts: Strengthening On-Site Communication and Governance
Sharing Key Municipal Visions and Seeking Solutions to Local Issues
Gathering Over 460 Resident Opinions: Implementing Policies Closely Tied to Daily Life

Naju City has completed all the 2026 dialogue sessions with residents that began on January 7. Photo by Naju City

Naju City in South Jeolla Province has completed the "2026 Dialogue with Residents" sessions, which were held across 20 towns and districts to mark the New Year of Byeong-O.

Beginning in Nampyeong-eup on January 7, the "2026 Dialogue with Residents" series, which aimed to listen to residents' voices and share key municipal directions and visions for regional development, concluded on January 21 in Munpyeong-myeon, bringing to a close a major initiative focused on on-site communication and governance.

According to Naju City on January 22, the dialogue with residents was organized to share major city policies and local issues, and to incorporate diverse opinions into municipal administration.

During these sessions, a total of 467 suggestions were raised, focusing on local issues directly related to daily life such as the renovation of village halls and senior centers, expansion and paving of village roads, drainage, and road maintenance. Of these, 290 were submitted in person and 177 in writing.

By category, there were 310 suggestions related to safety and construction, 49 in health and welfare, 24 in tourism and culture, 17 in agriculture, and 67 in other areas.

Naju City plans to carefully review the submitted suggestions with relevant departments. Issues directly related to resident safety will be prioritized in the supplementary budget, while mid- to long-term tasks will be pursued step by step through consultations with related organizations.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae explained six major strategies to residents, drawing their understanding and support: building a sustainable agri-bio city, developing a global energy and advanced science city, realizing a city with 5 million tourists, establishing the Bitgaram Innovation City as a model for balanced development, creating a prestigious educational city that fosters future talent, and ensuring happiness for all generations in Naju.

In particular, the increase in public benefit payments for farmers (from 600,000 won to 700,000 won) to build a stable income safety net, and the expansion of agricultural work convenience chairs to all farms (12,773 units, 500 million won), were praised by citizens as exemplary policies.

Mayor Yoon also outlined policies to create a healthy and happy agricultural environment, including raising farm incomes by developing agricultural and livestock brands such as "Cheonnyeon-ieum Naju Pear" and "Najudeulaechan Hanwoo," as well as addressing labor shortages by expanding the seasonal worker program (from 800 workers in 2025 to 1,000 in 2026).

To advance as a global energy and advanced science city, he introduced plans to attract over 300 companies and more than 2,000 professionals, create over 10,000 quality jobs through the establishment of an artificial sun research facility, develop the Energy National Industrial Complex in Wanggok-myeon, construct the National Naju Energy Science Museum, and host the "Naju Global Energy Forum 2026," sharing the city’s vision as an energy hub.

Mayor Yoon also expressed his ambition to realize a city with 5 million tourists by promoting stay-type tourism policies as part of the "2026 Visit Naju Year" initiative.

He highlighted the record 520,000 visitors to the "2025 Naju Yeongsangang Festival," and explained that the Yeongsangang Garden project was selected for the Ministry of Environment's Urban Ecological Axis Restoration Project (8 billion won), which will not only restore the ecosystem but also improve garden accessibility, emphasizing that the city is taking concrete steps toward becoming a national garden.

Additionally, he announced plans to strengthen Naju’s status as a historic city through the restoration of Geumseonggwan, the Naju Eupseong Fortress, and Naju Mokgwana, as well as efforts to elevate the city’s cultural assets to national treasure status.

He also introduced various ongoing projects to expand cultural and tourism infrastructure, including the official opening of Nampyeong and Yeongsangang Park Golf Courses, the opening of the Namdo Uibyeong History Museum, the completion of the Yeongsangang Sambaek-ri Premium Bicycle Path, and the creation of the Yeongsangang Panorama Observatory.

Mayor Yoon expressed his commitment to completing the Bitgaram Innovation City as a leading model for balanced development, stating his intention to actively pursue the second phase of public institution relocation in line with the principles of the citizen-sovereign government.

He explained efforts to improve living conditions and expand infrastructure through projects such as the Naju Bitgaram Complex Cultural and Sports Center, which features a swimming pool and multipurpose gymnasium, the opening of the Bitgaram Dream Center with a children's library and toy library, the operation of the Naju call bus, the integrated odor control center, and the creation of health trails.

To develop a prestigious educational city that nurtures future talent, he announced plans to strengthen the future education support center, operate a special education development zone, establish the first integrated IB education system for elementary, middle, and high schools in Jeonnam, and continuously support students' global competencies through international exchange programs such as the France International Youth Camp and U.S. language training.

He also detailed welfare policies for the happiness of all generations, including reducing the economic burden of childbirth and childcare through childbirth incentives, childcare support payments, and basic income for newborns; expanding senior job opportunities to a record scale (from 4,025 in 2025 to 4,710 in 2026); increasing the number of smart senior centers (from 20 in 2025 to 40 in 2026); and strengthening care services for people with disabilities.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae stated, "We will faithfully reflect each citizen's voice in city administration, thoroughly review the suggestions made, and drive meaningful change," adding, "I hope this dialogue has instilled a sense of pride in the 'Naju' brand among our residents."

He continued, "With the citizen-sovereign government's 'local-led growth' strategy, Naju has become a city of national attention. As 2026 is the Year of Visiting Naju, I hope each resident will serve as an ambassador to widely promote Naju’s appeal."