Byungtae Yoon, Mayor of Naju, Wins Grand Prize in Local Government Head Category at "2025 K-Brand Awards"

Grand Prize for Jeolla Province Local Government Head
One-Year Online Big Data Analysis
Ranked First for Focus on Future Industries
Naju Brand Value on the Rise
"We Will Create a Unique Brand for Naju"

Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju City, is explaining the construction plans in front of the site for the National Naju Energy Science Museum, scheduled to open in 2030. Provided by Naju City

Byungtae Yoon, Mayor of Naju City in Jeollanam-do, has been selected as the Grand Prize winner in the Jeolla Province Local Government Head category at the "2025 Korea K-Brand Awards," hosted by the Asia Brand Research Institute, a big data evaluation organization.

Mayor Yoon also ranked first in the Jeolla Province Local Government Head category in the "K-Brand Index" evaluation, which was announced in December last year and conducted from November 1 to 30.

The "2025 Korea K-Brand Awards," now in its fifth year since its inception in 2021, utilizes a proprietary big data analysis system developed by the Asia Brand Research Institute in collaboration with domestic and international researchers. Candidates in each category are selected based on this system, and big data scores are calculated by applying the exclusion criteria for the weighted values of the eight K-Brand Indexes. The final winners are then determined through a review by an independent advisory panel.

Mayor Byungtae Yoon, who received the Grand Prize in the Jeolla Province Local Government Head category, has focused since taking office on making Naju a "happy and livable city, a leading and exemplary Naju," by strengthening the city’s competitiveness through a harmonious blend of agriculture, energy, and future industries. In particular, his close cooperation with public institutions centered around the innovation city, as well as efforts to enhance the value of local specialty brands such as Naju pears, received high praise.

Additionally, his citizen-centered communication and administration have led to tangible changes in everyday life across the city’s education and welfare sectors, which have been cited as key factors in this award.

Yoon Byungtae, former mayor of Naju City in Jeollanam-do, won the Grand Prize in the Jeolla Province Local Government Head category at the "2025 Korea K-Brand Awards" hosted by the Asia Brand Research Institute. Photo by Asia Brand Research Institute

Such leadership has positioned Mayor Yoon as having transformed Naju from a typical local city into a competitive city equipped with sustainable future strategies.

Mayor Yoon stated, "I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Korea K-Brand Award," adding, "This achievement belongs to all the citizens who have built Naju’s reputation and value together, as well as to the public officials who have worked diligently on the ground."

He continued, "Naju has not focused on creating a brand for show, but has concentrated on building trust and changes that citizens can feel in their daily lives. I believe our efforts to clarify the city’s identity and strengthen its competitiveness in agriculture, energy, education, welfare, and future industries have led to this award."

Highlighting specific achievements, Mayor Yoon emphasized, "Our agricultural brands, including Naju pears, cooperation with public institutions centered on the innovation city, citizen-centered administration, and sustainable urban strategies have become the essential foundation for building Naju’s unique brand value."

He concluded, "We will not be satisfied with this award, but will further strengthen Naju’s potential and possibilities to develop it into a leading city representing Korea. I would like to express my gratitude once again to everyone involved in bestowing this meaningful award, and I will continue to work with citizens to make Naju a trusted city with a promising future."

Meanwhile, this award is particularly significant as it recognizes Naju City as an exemplary case of a city with strong competitiveness and self-sufficiency, even amid the threat of local extinction. Naju City plans to use this award as a stepping stone to further accelerate its efforts to build a "greater Naju with a promising future."