Park Yong-chul, Ganghwa County Governor, "I Will Create a Leaping Ganghwa! A Changing Ganghwa!"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Governor Park Yong-chul of Ganghwa County presented the county's 2025 administrative direction at the 299th Regular Session of Ganghwa County Council on the 2nd. Governor Park, who began his first official duties as the 10th popularly elected governor of Ganghwa County on October 17, is evaluated for quickly stabilizing county administration, driving projects with momentum, and presenting new vision.

Through the gubernatorial address announced on this day, we examine the future blueprint of Ganghwa County.

■ Residents' Daily Life First Priority! Measures to Address Loudspeaker Broadcast Noise Damage

Residents living in border areas of Ganghwa County have been complaining of stress accumulation from bizarre noise emanating day and night from North Korea since July.

In response, Governor Park issued an administrative order on November 1st designating all of Ganghwa County as a danger zone, prohibiting distribution of anti-North leaflets. On the 21st, he received approval from the prosecution to exercise special investigative authority under the Disaster and Safety Management Basic Act, planning to conduct direct investigations into violations of the administrative order and completely control anti-North leaflet distribution at the source.

He has continuously visited members of the National Assembly, the central government, and Incheon Metropolitan City to appeal for damage countermeasures, achieving results by securing funding for soundproof window installation support projects in affected areas.

Governor Park stated, "Our residents have been enduring unbearable suffering for over three months," and added, "I will do my best to establish fundamental damage countermeasures prioritizing the safety and daily lives of our residents."

■ Incheon's New Growth Wave, All-Out Efforts for Ganghwa South Free Economic Zone Designation

Next year, critical national projects that will determine Ganghwa County's future will be decided, including the designation of the Ganghwa South Free Economic Zone, the Advanced Development Special Zone designation, and the commencement of the Ganghwa-Gyeyang Expressway.

In particular, if 6 million pyeong of Ganghwa South is designated as a free economic zone, project investment of 3.7 trillion won will be made by 2035 to develop a high-tech agriculture district, a history and culture tourism district, and a K-culture cluster. The continental bridge connecting Ganghwa and Yeongjong will directly connect to Incheon Airport, the world's gateway, and connect to nationwide road networks through the Airport Expressway and Incheon Bridge.

Governor Park stated, "The Ganghwa South Free Economic Zone designation is an essential condition and the most critical project for our county's future, strengthening national competitiveness, and Incheon's leap to become a Global TOP 10 city," and expressed his determination, "With the unity and combined capabilities of 700,000 residents of Ganghwa County, we will surely achieve the designation of the Ganghwa South Free Economic Zone."

■ 2025 Budget Plan Formulated with Focus on Residents' Daily Lives and Livelihood Welfare

Governor Park formulated next year's budget at 669.7 billion won, an increase of 8.5 billion won compared to the previous year.

The 2025 budget plan was reviewed from a zero-based perspective to respond to uncertainties in both internal and external environments. Inefficient projects with low resident awareness have been discontinued, with budgets filled comprehensively with livelihood and welfare projects as the top priority so residents can feel real benefits in their daily lives.

Considering residents' difficult economic circumstances, social welfare and health sector budgets were significantly increased by 16.5 billion won to 222.4 billion won compared to the previous year. Additionally, 6.4 billion won with a 20% increase was allocated to the education sector for the future generation of children to strengthen the public nature of education.

The county's core agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector was allocated 112.7 billion won with an 11.8% increase, and the transportation sector for establishing a convenient transportation system was allocated 39 billion won with a 12% increase.

Governor Park stated, "Budget allocation focused on welfare and essential projects for future preparation. Despite difficult internal and external conditions, I will ensure seamless implementation of core projects for improving residents' quality of life and strengthening urban competitiveness," expressing his determination.

■ Comprehensive Measures to Enhance Local Population Vitality

Transportation subsidies will be provided so expectant mothers can comfortably visit hospitals, and free public transportation services for the elderly will be expanded from buses to taxis, establishing a national top-level transportation welfare system. Additionally, par golf courses will be developed in each region to dramatically improve residents' leisure activities.

To create new income sources for rural areas, support will be provided for modernization of agritourism accommodations, and young farmers will be attracted through customized consulting from farming education to market development to revitalize rural areas. Existing tourist destinations and cultural heritage sites will be transformed into cities with 24-hour Ganghwa illumination, enabling day and night tourism, and the county will make a leap as a desirable cultural tourism city with seasonal cultural performances.

Governor Park stated, "We plan to establish a dedicated organization by January next year to actively discover customized population vitality policies," and added, "Through this, we will clearly grasp the reality of regional decline and establish the foundation for a positive cycle mechanism in the local economy."

■ Future Growth Engine, Strengthening Policies Where Youth Dreams Become Reality

Governor Park's priority project is to develop a youth education and culture cluster where future generations can cultivate their inherent talents and dreams.

Through this, the plan is to cultivate young people as local talent with innovative problem-solving abilities by providing a learning environment that develops creative and critical thinking. Additionally, by cooperating with various local institutions and enterprises to operate career experience, internship, and startup support programs, local companies are expected to have opportunities to cultivate future talent in advance, securing sustainable growth engines.

Furthermore, the county will actively promote the educational development special zone designation project and will strengthen the education expense support project, which ranks among the nation's highest, in a more customized manner. Elementary school students in the region will be provided with educational buses for safe field study experiences, and middle and high school students will be offered expanded overseas language training opportunities to cultivate them as global talent.

Additionally, family-based rural study abroad will be supported, allowing families to live together in the leaping youth future city Ganghwa County while sharing benefits and supporting those desiring settlement to activate the residential population.

Governor Park Yong-chul stated, "To make Ganghwa County's dreams a reality, I will continue making bold challenges with values of communication and harmony," and added, "Myself and approximately 800 public servants will unite the capabilities of the county council and 700,000 residents to surely create a leaping Ganghwa! A changing Ganghwa!"