Mayor Shim Deokseop of Gochang: "We Will Create a Gochang That Opens the Future Together With Residents"

80 Pledges Finalized Through Citizen Participation
The First: Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages

Shim Deokseop, Mayor of Gochang County in North Jeolla Province, announced a new county administration slogan and key pledges during the first press conference of the 9th civil term on July 14. He emphasized that the new administration will prioritize governance based on citizen participation and the enhancement of sustainability in rural and fishing communities.

At the press conference held in the second conference room of the Gochang County Office on the 14th, Mayor Shim announced that the slogan for the 9th civil term will be "Opening the Future Together, Leaping Gochang." He stated, “We will ask questions with residents, make decisions together, and take responsibility together,” presenting communication with county residents as a core principle of the administration.

Shim Deokseob, mayor of Gochang County, held a press conference on the morning of the 14th at the county office's second conference room, explaining the slogan and pledge details of the 9th government administration. Provided by Gochang County Office

The new slogan was crafted based on the opinions of county residents and reflects the intent that both the administration and the residents will shape the county's future together.

The pledges for the 9th civil term were also established through citizen participation. Gochang County operated the "Citizen Communication Policy and Planning Committee," consisting of 23 county residents. Over the course of about a month of discussions, a total of 80 pledges were finalized.

Among these, the first priority pledge selected was the implementation of the "Leading Pilot City for Basic Income in Rural and Fishing Villages."

Mayor Shim said, “Implementing basic income in Gochang, a county of around 50,000 people, will be an important initiative for boosting the rural economy and expanding population inflow. We will work to ensure that it is reflected in the national project by 2028, so that consumption takes place within the region and residents are provided with a stable foundation for their lives.”

This set of pledges also includes a number of local issues. Key tasks include: reflecting the plan to establish Gochang Station and promote the West Coast railway network in the national railway plan; providing a 300,000 won ‘Citizen Vitality Support Fund’ to each resident (targeting payment before Chuseok); and relocating the Sinlim Swine Breeding Project Center.

Gochang County will hold a "town hall meeting" at Gochang Hwang Yunseok Library on the afternoon of the 27th to hear residents’ opinions directly.

Both online and in-person participation will be accepted to encourage a wide range of residents to take part, and Mayor Shim will personally answer questions raised on site.

Mayor Shim stated, “This will serve as an open forum where I can directly explain the vision and policy direction of the 9th civil term to residents and hear diverse opinions. I will actively reflect the voices of citizens of all ages and backgrounds in county government and realize a Gochang that we create together.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.