Ganghwa County and Incheon City Join Forces for Regional Development

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Ganghwa County held a comprehensive village meeting titled "Into the Village, Among the Citizens" on the 1st at the Gyodong-myeon Office with the attendance of Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok to promote regional development.

"Into the Village, Among the Citizens" is an event designed to bring together various local organizations including village chiefs, resident autonomous committees, and New Community Movement groups along with residents to discuss regional issues with Incheon City and seek improvement measures. For Ganghwa County, this was the first such event held in Gyodong-myeon.

The event proceeded with explanations of Incheon City's major policies, followed by discussions on village agendas and a hearing of residents' petitions.

At the meeting, Hwang Gyo-ik, conference chair (head of Gyodong-myeon village chiefs), made requests to Incheon City for support on pending projects including expanding road width through sewer line coverage, maintenance and development of Daeryong Market parking lot, and new construction of the Gyodong-myeon Resident Autonomous Center.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, "Today I participated in this meeting as a resident of Gyodong-myeon," and added, "Since the answers lie in the field, I will visit Ganghwa more frequently to listen to the concerns of county residents and will do my best for the development of Ganghwa County."

In response, Vice County Governor Lee Tae-san of Ganghwa County said, "On behalf of Ganghwa County farmers and fishermen, I express deep gratitude for the Mayor's decision to expand city budget support for farmer and fishery worker public service payments," and continued, "Going forward, we will cooperate closely with Incheon City and make greater efforts for regional development."

Prior to the meeting, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Vice County Governor Lee Tae-san of Ganghwa County visited Daeryong Market to hear about the difficulties faced by merchants and personally purchased items such as rice cakes and fruits to encourage the merchants.