[Interview] Bonghwa County Mayor Park Hyun-guk: "Proving Ourselves at the End of Our Promises"...Administration of Completion, into Everyday Life

Reshaping Settlement Conditions, Industrial Structure, and Stay-Type Tourism
Focusing on Changes Residents Can Truly Feel

As the second half of the 8th popularly elected term begins, the steering of the county administration is shifting toward "tangible outcomes." The plan is to fully complete the projects that have been pursued so far and prove them through changes in everyday life. A strategy that emphasizes depth over expansion and implementation over declaration is now operating across all sectors at the same time.

Park Hyunguk, Bonghwa County Governor, is being interviewed by a reporter from The Asia Business Daily in his second-floor office on the 13th. Photo by Kwon Byunggeon

The following is a Q&A on the direction of county administration.

◆ What is the basic policy for running the county administration this year?

"We have moved past the period of preparation and are now entering the stage of reaping the harvest. Rather than adding new plans, we will focus on completing ongoing projects so that residents can clearly see real changes. We will respond with accountable administration."

◆ What is your strategy for responding to the population crisis?

"The solution is to create a flow of people. That flow must then lead to people staying. We are connecting our historical assets to cultural exchange, tourism, and settlement infrastructure, with the K-Vietnam Valley at the center. Only when repeat visits are possible can the local economy be revitalized. We will also provide living support and rent subsidies for young people and for those returning to farming or relocating from cities, while at the same time supplying new housing to help them make a stable new start."

◆ What is the core of your strategy for transforming the industrial structure?

"It is the digitalization of agriculture. Through a system that links education, field demonstration, and start-ups, we have created an environment in which the younger generation can take on challenges. This is the process of turning traditional industries into future industries. The pumped-storage hydropower project is also a key pillar. We will broaden our base of jobs and fiscal resources and attract related industries to expand the external scope of the local economy."

◆ What is the direction of your tourism policy?

"In tourism, the longer visitors stay, the more consumption and employment increase. We are planning to add specialized accommodations to Buncheon Santa Village and are preparing a system that can also accommodate demand from visitors with companion animals. To reduce dependence on specific seasons, we will expand experience programs, gardens, and scenic viewpoints to create motivations for visiting in all four seasons."

◆ In what direction is your education policy headed?

"We are strengthening support so that opportunities are not reduced simply because one lives in a rural area. We will supplement school and scholarship systems and build a dense learning network within daily living areas so that learning becomes part of everyday life."

◆ What are your plans for implementing welfare policies?

"We are focusing on reducing the burden of child-rearing and minimizing gaps in care. We will also expand specialized infrastructure for older adults and people with disabilities. Through customized services, we will enhance the stability of the community as a whole."

◆ What is your principle of communication in running the county administration?

"The answers are found in the field. We have been turning the opinions we gathered while visiting villages into policies. We will continue to use open methods to reflect even the smallest needs."

◆ What values do you emphasize, and what future do you envision?

"Warm relationships, health, and fairness. By achieving balance that connects generations and social groups, we will create an environment where anyone can expect to see the results of their efforts. Ultimately, our goal is to build a city where those who once left choose to return and visitors want to stay."

The county's governing strategy is clear. It is a structure that sets three pillars: cultural assets connected to the world, primary industries armed with technology, and the expansion of the energy base, and then layers a dense network of everyday services on top.

In the end, success or failure comes down to a single question: "How much has residents' daily life changed?" The answer to that question is expected to determine the assessment of the latter half of the 8th popularly elected term.