As concerns over drought grow due to ongoing heat waves and insufficient rainfall, Gijang County's mayor has taken direct action to assess the situation.
On August 5, Mayor Woo Seong-bin visited areas within the county at risk of drought to evaluate the supply of agricultural water and the county's response efforts. This proactive measure comes as temperatures have consistently exceeded 95 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to widespread drought damage across the nation.
Mayor Woo began his inspections at the agricultural lands in Ungcheon-ri, Cheolma-myeon, and continued to the Yeolimha Reservoir in Jeonggwan-eup, the agricultural fields in Jang-an-eup, and the fields in Jukseong-ri, Gijang-eup.
During his visits, he received reports from relevant officials and facility managers on the reservoir water levels, agricultural water supply status, drought response measures, and future plans, while also listening to the concerns of local farmers.
In preparation for a prolonged drought, Mayor Woo instructed relevant departments to ensure comprehensive water supply support and water resource acquisition strategies, considering the use of disaster funds and reserve budgets if necessary.
Currently, Gijang County is utilizing its disaster prevention response budget to operate water supply trucks and provide agricultural water. Additionally, the county plans to use a special allocation of 250 million won for the development of water wells and the operation of water supply vehicles as part of a long-term agricultural water acquisition project.
The county is also enhancing its response to areas facing shortages of domestic water. Recently, water supply trucks were deployed to provide emergency water to over 30 households in four villages, and the county is continuously monitoring the water supply situation in areas without installed water systems.
"Drought significantly impacts not only agriculture but also the daily lives of residents, so it is crucial to respond proactively from the ground up," Mayor Woo said. He emphasized the need to mobilize all available administrative resources to ensure a steady supply of agricultural water and to strengthen water supply support and monitoring activities in areas facing domestic water shortages.
Earlier, on August 3, Mayor Woo chaired the 'August Monthly Work Report' broadcast live on YouTube's 'Gijang County TV,' calling for strong administrative reforms.
He strongly criticized procedural flaws in key projects, particularly pointing out issues that arose during the 'Jang-an Healing Forest Access Road Construction Project' and the 'Purchase of Jukdo,' directing a thorough re-investigation by a task force and legal experts. He also warned of strict measures against illegal activities related to development by local religious organizations, stating, "There will be no sanctuary for illegal actions."
The complete overhaul of the budget formulation system was also discussed. Mayor Woo emphasized the need to apply sunset provisions to habitual and repetitive projects and to re-evaluate their feasibility from a zero-based perspective, prioritizing fiscal soundness in budget planning.
Mayor Woo stated, "We will establish a new administrative culture that continuously shares the process of county governance with residents, leading to a substantial transformation in governance that residents can feel in their daily lives."
Gijang County plans to continue on-site monitoring until the drought situation is resolved while accelerating governance innovation through transparent communication.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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