Kim Se-hoon, the mayor of Hwacheon, proposed political cooperation and increased local income as solutions for the current divided governance in the region. Speaking at the 'Visiting Humanities Lecture' held at the Sain Comprehensive Cultural Center, he emphasized the need for collaboration between political parties and outlined future policies on basic income, sunshine pensions, and tourism and forestry initiatives.
During the event, residents expressed interest in political unity in Hwacheon following the recent elections and the collaboration between the mayor and the county council. One resident remarked, "While we fought fiercely during the elections, we must come together as neighbors now that it’s over," prompting Mayor Kim to stress that regional development should take precedence over party affiliations.
"What does it matter if it's the Democratic Party or the National Power? Let’s not focus on parties but rather unite as 'Hwacheon Party,'" Kim stated. He also viewed the newly formed divided council structure not as a setback but as a call for collaborative governance.
Initially concerned about the divided council after his election, Kim interpreted it as a mandate against unilateral governance. He expressed his intention to approach council members first to explain the necessity of key policies and budgets and seek their cooperation.
Professor Choi also highlighted the importance of recognizing differences as a starting point for political coexistence. He pointed out the issues of polarization and factionalism in national politics, emphasizing the need to acknowledge differing viewpoints.
In addition to political cooperation, Mayor Kim unveiled plans for the 9th term's local income policies. He proposed starting with a monthly basic income of 150,000 won for rural residents and implementing a 'sunshine pension' that would return profits from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to the community, aiming to enhance residents' real income.
He also suggested utilizing unused military land as an economic asset for the region. Kim mentioned discussions with defense officials about long-term plans for these lands, including solar power generation, film and video production facilities, and corporate training centers. Both the sunshine pension and the use of military land are long-term plans that will require consultations with relevant agencies and feasibility studies.
Kim expressed his commitment to expanding a circular economy using local currency. He plans to connect basic income, festivals, and sports marketing with local currency to ensure that spending in Hwacheon circulates within the local economy rather than flowing out.
Regarding local issues in Sain-myeon, Kim addressed the golf driving range project, suggesting that rather than scrapping it entirely, it would be more practical to adjust the project's scale and budget, considering the funds already invested. He also stated that major projects like the construction of a new government office and local landscape initiatives would involve presenting multiple options to residents and gathering their feedback before making decisions.
Additionally, he proposed leveraging Hwacheon's abundant forest resources to create economic forests, produce wild vegetables, develop the wood processing industry, and expand tourism resources such as arboretums and woodlands, aiming to cultivate new sources of income for residents.
Kim reiterated his focus on income, stating, "First, income; second, income; third, income," expressing his determination to implement policies that residents can feel in their daily lives.
Over 100 attendees participated in the lecture, including Park Dae-hyun, a member of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Council, Lee Sun-hee, vice chair of the Hwacheon County Council, Kim Myung-jin, a Hwacheon County Council member, and residents of Sain-myeon. The event featured a lecture by Professor Choi on political and social issues, followed by a discussion with Mayor Kim and a Q&A session with residents.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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