Hampyeong County Chief Lee Nam-o's administration marks its 100th day in office on October 8.
The past 100 days have been focused on establishing the direction and execution framework for the new administration. Moving forward, the focus will shift to delivering tangible results in key policies such as future industry development centered around the Bitgreen National Industrial Complex, livelihood economy, youth and education, agriculture, and stay-type tourism.
Since the launch of the 9th term, Hampyeong County has set the goal of 'Renewing Hampyeong, Benefiting Residents' and has prepared execution plans for four major policy directions and 74 pledges.
The pledges have undergone review by working departments and the transition committee, and a pledge jury has been established to incorporate resident feedback. Additionally, 82 new projects targeting 2027 have been identified.
Lee has prioritized future growth areas, particularly focusing on RE100 and future industries centered around the Bitgreen National Industrial Complex. During his inauguration on July 1, he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea RE100 Committee. Since then, he has been pushing for the designation and expansion of the Bitgreen Industrial Complex as an RE100 site.
In August, the 'Hampyeong Transformation Future Economy Task Force' was launched to establish a system for nurturing new industries such as AI semiconductors and future vehicles. The county is also expanding cooperation with local governments, responding jointly to the expansion of the Bitgreen Industrial Complex with Gwangsan District and collaborating with Yongin City on semiconductor and materials industries.
However, there are still many challenges ahead. The county plans to pursue an additional 1 million pyeong expansion of the Bitgreen Industrial Complex, attract companies related to AI, semiconductors, and future vehicles, and establish a stable power supply system for 1GW-level renewable energy production.
In terms of economic support, the administration has focused on policies that residents can directly feel. For the first supplementary budget of the 9th term, Hampyeong County allocated 627.2 billion won and provided a recovery support fund of 50,000 won per resident ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
This initiative aims to stimulate local consumption, alleviate the financial burden on small businesses and self-employed individuals, and revitalize the stagnant local economy.
Lee has also engaged in direct communication with residents. From August 20 to September 4, he visited nine towns to meet with residents. During these visits, a total of 66 requests regarding local issues and inconveniences were received, and the county plans to address them by the end of the year after departmental reviews.
To address the challenges of local finances, the administration has strengthened external activities targeting the central government and the National Assembly. Lee visited the National Assembly twice in July and September, presenting 14 local issues, including six and eight requests, respectively.
He met with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to discuss key issues and held meetings with lawmakers and officials from the Rural Development Administration to seek cooperation on local projects.
In the education sector, discussions have been held with Kim Dae-jung, the Superintendent of Jeonnam Gwangju Special City, on four issues, including the introduction of a two-way joint school district system. The county is also exploring cooperation with Honam University to establish a four-year Dream Life University campus in Hampyeong and to enhance lifelong learning for residents.
Addressing population decline and regional extinction is another core challenge for the 9th term. The county is promoting the establishment of a 'Hampyeong-type Basic Society' that integrates income, care, settlement, and education.
Key components include Hampyeong-type basic income, support for youth and newlyweds, integrated care centered on villages, childcare support, and expanded home medical and night care services.
In the housing sector, the county is considering half-price housing, 10,000 won housing, and transportation support for vulnerable areas. In education, it plans to expand existing policies such as AI digital vouchers for residents and support for college tuition.
The success of these initiatives will depend on securing funding and developing detailed execution plans for each project.
In agriculture, smart farming will be integrated. The county plans to establish a vertical smart farm testbed for RE100 and expand smart farm distribution focusing on regionally specialized crops like summer strawberries and figs.
By utilizing Jeonnam-type smart farms and ICT convergence facilities, the county aims to induce changes in production methods and address the aging rural population and labor shortages.
Hampyeong Cheonji Hanwoo will enhance its competitiveness through the establishment of a Hanwoo genetic resource and breeding center and research and development in collaboration with the Rural Development Administration. The county also plans to improve productivity and livestock environments through AI and ICT-based smart livestock infrastructure.
The tourism policy will also shift focus. Instead of merely increasing visitor numbers through festivals like the Butterfly Festival and National Flower Festival, the county aims to prioritize how long tourists stay and how much they spend in Hampyeong.
The county plans to connect Expo Park, Hampyeong Stream, and the town's commercial district while expanding stay-type tourism infrastructure, including public camping sites along the Nasang River.
Hampyeong Bay and Dolmeori Beach will be developed as wellness tourism hubs, with plans to integrate accommodations, dining, experiences, and night tourism.
Utilizing half-price travel, accommodation discounts, and tourism coupons will also be part of the strategy to ensure tourist spending benefits local businesses.
Expanding the park golf course from 36 to 54 holes is part of the plan to enhance sports and welfare infrastructure.
The Hampyeong Comprehensive Sports Town will be developed as a regional sports hub, and the county is working to link baseball and park golf with tourism.
In the welfare sector, the focus will be on integrating care, childcare, and medical services to respond to aging and improve residents' living conditions.
The first 100 days have been a 'starting point'... the key will be the ability to turn plans into results.
During the first 100 days of the 9th term, Hampyeong County focused on establishing new administrative goals and frameworks for pledges and key projects.
Now, the critical factor is execution.
With many core projects, including the RE100-based future industry development at the Bitgreen Industrial Complex, the additional 1 million pyeong expansion, attracting companies, youth and education policies, smart agriculture, and stay-type tourism being long-term tasks, securing national and provincial funding and attracting private investment will be crucial for achieving tangible results.
Lee Nam-o, the county chief, stated, “If the past 100 days were about setting the direction for the 9th term, the time has come to respond to residents with concrete results. I will listen to the voices of residents on the ground and directly address necessary projects with the central government and relevant agencies to create change and growth in Hampyeong.”
Meanwhile, Hampyeong County plans to hold a town hall meeting on the 14th, inviting 100 residents to share key policies implemented during the first 100 days and discuss future administrative directions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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