Changing the Game in Uiseong... Governor Choi Yoochul Bets on 'AI Agriculture and New Airport'

First Press Conference of the 9th Civil Administration
Fostering the Bioindustry, Innovating Hanjihyung Garlic
Presenting a Roadmap for Youth Settlement

Choi Yoochul, Governor of Uiseong County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, has set out to establish a foundation for sustainable regional growth by presenting core strategies for the 9th civil administration, including fostering new future growth industries in connection with the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, transitioning to AI-based smart agriculture, promoting youth settlement, and building an integrated care system.

Choi Yu-cheol, Uiseong County Mayor, 'Planting Future Industries in Uiseong' Choi Yu-cheol, County Mayor, Unveils Vision for the 9th Elected Term
Photo by Byeonggeon Kwon

At a press conference held at the Uiseong County Office on the 15th, Governor Choi stated the administration's vision as "Happy Residents, Prosperous Uiseong," and announced that the county government will be driven by seven major tasks: fostering new future growth industries in connection with the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, realizing a smart agricultural city, introducing a renewable energy profit-sharing model, restoring the local economy, invigorating youth and tourism, implementing tailored welfare, and promoting communication and innovative governance.

Governor Choi identified the construction of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport as the primary growth engine that will transform Uiseong's future. He stressed that, based on a joint project system with North Gyeongsang Province, the county will enhance the transparency and efficiency of the project.

He said, "Because the airport relocation project is jointly pursued by North Gyeongsang Province and Uiseong County, it is necessary to revise related laws and institutions," adding, "During the implementation process, we will communicate sufficiently with residents in the relocation area and lay the groundwork for joint regional growth."

◆ For future growth industries, he proposed fostering the bioindustry, including cell-cultivation industries.

He plans to go beyond attracting companies, aiming to build an industrial ecosystem by linking research and development, nurturing specialized talent, and clustering relevant businesses. The county also intends to develop itself into a hub for advanced industries connected to the new airport.

◆ In the agricultural sector, the core agenda was expanding AI-based smart agriculture.

Governor Choi announced plans to significantly expand smart agriculture and improve the production and distribution structure to enhance the productivity and price competitiveness of Uiseong’s representative specialty product, Hanjihyung garlic.

In particular, he explained the county will systematically manage the annual production base of 6,800 tons of Hanjihyung garlic and promote price stabilization through expanding joint purchase and improving the distribution system, while also broadening the consumption base by increasing supply to school meal programs and online markets.

He said, "We plan to move beyond production-centered agriculture and, through the development of a 'sixth industry' that integrates processing, distribution, and tourism, create a virtuous cycle that increases agricultural added value and leads to higher farm income."

◆ Youth policies will shift from a focus on support to one on settlement.

The administration will build a youth settlement ecosystem that connects jobs, startups, housing, culture, and education, thus creating an environment where young people can live stably and plan for their futures in the region.

◆ The county will also reinforce the integrated care system to respond to a super-aged society.

Uiseong will establish a local-led care system that connects medical, nursing, and welfare services, bolster elderly welfare infrastructure by expanding ICT-based smart senior centers, and provide management for health, leisure, and education services for the elderly.

First Press Conference of the 9th Local Government Term Presents Roadmap for Fostering the Bioindustry, Innovating Hanjihyung Garlic, and Supporting Youth Settlement
[Photo by Byungkeun Kwon]

Governor Choi said, "For the 9th civil administration, the most important thing is to create a county government that residents can tangibly experience in their daily lives. We will focus our administrative capabilities on securing future growth engines while building a sustainable local community where all generations, including youth and seniors, can live together."

He added, "The starting point of county administration is always the field. We will continuously communicate with residents, moving beyond planning to build an administration that is evaluated by its actions and results."

This press conference served to formalize the policy direction for Uiseong County's 9th civil administration. Governor Choi set advanced industry development centered around the new airport, AI smart agriculture, and bioindustry as future growth strategies, while designating youth settlement and integrated care as the county’s two main livelihood policies.

The success or failure of the 9th civil administration is expected to depend on how concretely Choi's intention to overcome structural crises such as population decline and regional extinction through industrial innovation, agricultural advancement, and strengthened welfare policies is realized in practice.

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