“I want to be remembered as a commissioner known for results rather than words,” said Moon Sung-yo, head of the Saemangeum Development Agency.
For Moon, the transformation of Saemangeum is more about implementing existing plans than creating grand new ones. It involves preparing land for businesses, turning investment agreements into construction projects, and planning roads, ports, and railways.
Moon is a seasoned bureaucrat in the fields of land and urban development. After graduating from Korea University with a degree in English literature, he entered public service, holding positions such as director of the Construction Economy Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and head of the Construction and Urban Bureau in Sejong City. He has also served as deputy director of the Administrative City Construction Agency and director of the Land and Urban Policy Division at the Ministry of Land.
His extensive experience covers key areas of the Ministry of Land, including construction industry policy, new town development, land planning, organization, and budgeting.
His conclusion from overseeing national urban development projects is surprisingly simple: large-scale development projects do not succeed solely based on plans; rather, the coordination among stakeholders determines their success or failure.
“What I learned most from large-scale land and urban projects is that the success of these initiatives ultimately depends on communication and collaboration between people,” Moon said.
Saemangeum presents a complex challenge for him. Numerous agencies and stakeholders are involved, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, relevant industrial and energy ministries, as well as local governments in Jeollabuk-do, Gunsan, Gimje, Buan, the Saemangeum Development Corporation, and resident companies.
Therefore, he emphasizes that the Saemangeum Development Agency should facilitate alignment among these entities rather than making all decisions independently.
“Saemangeum will not be completed just by the efforts of the Saemangeum Development Agency. The central government, local governments, businesses, and the community must all work towards the same goal,” he stated.
His emphasis on 'speed' stems from this understanding. Saemangeum has long been viewed as a symbol of long-term planning. Moon believes it is more important to produce tangible results that businesses can feel rather than adding new blueprints.
The approximately 9 trillion won investment from Hyundai Motor Group and the public-led reclamation project aimed for completion by 2035, along with the establishment of an AI, robotics, and energy industry ecosystem, align with this perspective. The evaluation of Saemangeum can only change if it moves beyond planning to actual construction and operation.
Moon has clearly identified scenes he wants to witness during his term. He hopes to see industrial and urban land rapidly developed under public leadership, investments from companies like Hyundai turning into actual factories, and AI and robotics actively operating in the industry and urban settings.
“If, when I finish my term, I can be evaluated as having laid the foundation for Saemangeum to begin transforming and continue to grow, it would be a great reward,” he said.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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