Muan County Council members presented policy alternatives addressing local issues, including the year-round tourism promotion of Hoesan Baekryeonji, the establishment of a public postpartum care center, and responses to the southwestern semiconductor mega-project during a five-minute free speech session.
During the first session of the 311th regular meeting held on September 2, Council members Park Chang-seok, Jung Eun-kyung, and Jeong So-hye proposed policy directions related to tourism, childbirth, and advanced industries.
First, Park Chang-seok suggested the establishment of a dedicated office and the designation of a local garden to transform Hoesan Baekryeonji from a summer tourist destination into a year-round stay tourism site.
He called for the creation of seasonal gardens, management of ecological resources, and the expansion of nighttime scenery, performances, and experiential programs. He also argued for the need to manage tourism facilities in the Hoesan Baekryeonji area, including accommodations, campgrounds, and swimming pools, in an integrated manner.
Park emphasized that designating a local garden would secure a stable business foundation and brand competitiveness, laying the groundwork for its long-term development into a national garden.
Park Chang-seok stated, "The year-round tourism promotion of Hoesan Baekryeonji is an essential task for Muan County's tourism industry that can no longer be postponed. A concrete roadmap for establishing a dedicated office and designating a local garden must be prepared promptly."
Jung Eun-kyung proposed the establishment of a public postpartum care center to improve the childbirth and childcare environment.
She noted that while births are concentrated in the Namak and Oryong districts, there is no public postpartum care center in the area, causing burdens for mothers in terms of travel and costs. She raised the necessity for establishing public facilities.
Jung called for an examination of the feasibility of installing a public postpartum care center centered around the Namak and Oryong living areas, along with conducting demand surveys. She also suggested utilizing national and municipal funding programs to reduce the county's financial burden and establishing an integrated support system linked to maternal and child health services at health centers.
Jung Eun-kyung remarked, "A public postpartum care center is not just a welfare facility but an investment in Muan's future. I urge the administration to actively consider creating a healthy and happy childbirth-friendly city for mothers and children."
Jeong So-hye argued that Muan County should proactively develop an advanced industry strategy in response to the government's southwestern semiconductor mega-project.
She emphasized the need to leverage local renewable energy resources and Muan International Airport as competitive advantages to identify specific industries that Muan can undertake in the fields of semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and materials, parts, and equipment.
To this end, she proposed establishing an advanced industry strategy linked to renewable energy, fostering Muan International Airport as a hub for advanced air logistics, and developing a mid- to long-term industrial strategy transitioning from renewable energy to clean hydrogen.
Jeong also pointed out the necessity for preliminary analyses of corporate demand, renewable energy supply capacity, power and water conditions, and air logistics demand. She suggested that attracting advanced industries should create a structure that leads to job creation for local youth and participation of local businesses in the supply chain.
Jeong So-hye stated, "Muan's role can grow as much as it prepares. We must thoroughly prepare a dedicated promotion system and phased execution plan so that Muan's sunlight and wind can create businesses and jobs, and the results can benefit the residents."
Lim Yoon-taek, chair of the Muan County Council, expressed hope that the policy alternatives proposed by the council members in tourism, childbirth, and advanced industries would be practically reflected in the county's administration, leading to sustainable development that residents can feel.
The five-minute free speeches presented during the 311th regular meeting focused on issues related to the revitalization of Hoesan Baekryeonji tourism, expansion of childbirth support, and responses to future advanced industries. Attention is now on how Muan County will evaluate the feasibility and funding strategies for the proposed projects.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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