Park Yong-chul, Ganghwa County Governor, Declares Head-on Push Against Complex Crises Including Rural Depopulation

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Park Yong-chul, Ganghwa County Governor, expressed strong determination to head-on tackle the complex crises facing the county through a policy address on December 1st at the '308th Regular Session, 2nd Session of Ganghwa County Council' regarding the submission of the 2026 main budget.

Governor Park stated, "Ganghwa County currently faces multi-faceted challenges including rural depopulation crisis, agricultural workforce shortages, declining local economic vitality, and border area regulations. Creating a sustainable local community is the most urgent task," emphasizing, "2026 will be a turning point in launching new future strategies beyond these crises."

In particular, "Next year's budget has been compiled at 704.4 billion won, a 5.17% increase from this year's main budget, and through active efforts to secure national and provincial funds throughout this year, we have secured the largest-ever scale of financial resources," adding, "While improving fiscal efficiency through expenditure restructuring, we will ensure no negligence in core projects for the future."

■ Presenting Key to New Growth Momentum... Parallel Pursuit of Large-scale Projects and Institutional Improvements

The county views △Ganghwa Economic Free Zone designation △National Ganghwa Goryeo Museum construction △Preemptive response to Peace Economic Special Zone discussions △Ganghwa exclusion from Seoul Capital Area regulation as key elements for securing new growth momentum, and plans to concentrate capacity on establishing foundations for future growth.

First, through the designation of the Ganghwa Economic Free Zone, plans call for promoting complex development combining advanced agriculture, historical culture, and K-culture, and fostering it as a core growth hub driving national competitiveness enhancement with Incheon City.

For the National Ganghwa Goryeo Museum, as the basic planning service cost has been approved by the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Special Committee, the county plans to proceed with subsequent procedures smoothly to establish national-level cultural infrastructure representing Ganghwa's historical and cultural identity.

Additionally, the county will preemptively respond to the government's Peace Economic Special Zone discussions and, considering the reality that Ganghwa County faces both security environment and Seoul Capital Area regulations, will formally begin pursuing 'Seoul Capital Area exclusion' for excessive deregulation.

■ All-out Efforts to Revitalize Local Economy... Customized Comprehensive Measures for Small Business Owners, Jobs, Fishermen and Farmers

The county plans to develop customized comprehensive measures in each sector and make full efforts to restore vitality across all areas of local society. First, it will pursue comprehensive measures encompassing small business owners, jobs, and agriculture and fisheries to revitalize the local economy.

To activate local commercial areas, △alleyway shopping district designation △Pungmul Market outdoor parking lot development will be pursued, and △youth startups and local creator cultivation △small-scale business environment improvement projects will create jobs and strengthen business support policies.

In the agricultural sector, through △smart facility agriculture expansion △relocation of Gyeodong branch of agricultural machinery bank △introduction of foreign seasonal workers △lease-type smart farm operation, the county will restore agricultural production capacity weakened by aging and labor shortages.

In the fisheries sector, through fishery village revitalization promotion projects △major fishing port function improvement △extended entry/exit hours during peak season, the county will improve fishing conditions and residential environment while enhancing aquaculture competitiveness.

■ Transitioning from Day Tourism to Residential Tourism... Strengthening Night-time, Experience, and Marine-focused Content

In the tourism sector, to transition the existing tourism structure focused on 'day visits' to 'residential tourism where visitors stay', the county will formally pursue tourism strategies centered on night-time, experience, and marine resources.

Through △night-time landmark development of Mt. Mani △national heritage media art △'Living a Week in Ganghwa' program, the county seeks to transition into a tourism city where visitors can stay overnight.

Additionally, through △functional enhancement of Seokmo Island Mineral Spa △introduction of 4D screening system at Ganghwa Astronomy and Science Museum, existing tourism facilities' content will be upgraded to encourage repeat visits, and through △construction of marine healing center △creation of ship park-linked residential spaces in Wepo-ri, the county plans to establish a marine tourism hub combining marine healing, history, and experience.

■ Comprehensive Measures to Create 'Livable, Desirable Ganghwa'

The county envisions implementing 'livable, desirable Ganghwa' through improving residential environment and expanding living SOC.

△Road network maintenance aligned with Gyeyang-Ganghwa Expressway commencement of construction and △improvements to major roads including Almi-gol Intersection bypass will be pursued, and △M-bus introduction △increase in bus routes 800 and 801 △creation of transfer parking lots will enhance public transportation accessibility.

For improving residential environment, △public sewerage expansion △natural gas supply expansion △LPG pipeline network distribution △renewable energy convergence support △aging facility improvement in multi-unit housing will be continuously pursued, while △establishment of integrated CCTV control center △expansion of residential evacuation facilities will strengthen living safety networks.

Governor Park Yong-chul emphasized, "While Ganghwa faces multiple crises simultaneously, the foundations for change are being steadily prepared through this process," stating, "Together with approximately 800 county public officials, we will work with Ganghwa County Council and 70,000 residents to create a Ganghwa where each resident is happy."