[Interview] Governor Lim Jirak: "Doing Our Best to Revive the Local Economy... Laying the Foundation for Hwasun's Next 100 Years"

"Transforming Hwasun into Korea’s Premier Bio-Health City"

Plans to Make Hwasun a City Where Young People Choose to Return

Accelerating Industrial Transition in Former Mining Areas and Metropolitan Railway Development

"The most urgent issue I have come to realize since taking office is the recovery of the local economy. Every time I see empty commercial spaces, I feel a profound sense of responsibility as the county governor."

Lim Jirak, Governor of Hwasun County, who was elected during the local elections on June 3 and is now leading the 9th popularly elected administration, listed “recovery of the local economy” as the number one priority for county administration. Lim explained that since his inauguration, he has been listening to the voices of various county residents, including small business owners, farmers, and young people. He stressed, "We will mobilize every policy tool available to the county to ensure the revival of the regional economy."

In a recent written interview with The Asia Business Daily, Governor Lim stated, "The 9th administration will focus on genuinely realizing civil governance and establishing a foundation for future growth under the slogan, ‘Together with Citizens, Toward Hwasun’s Future.’” He added, “We are determined to achieve tangible outcomes in our three main challenges: the establishment of metropolitan railway and transportation networks, fostering the bio-health industry, and driving industrial transformation in former mining areas.”

Hwasun County Governor Lim Jirak recently met with The Asia Business Daily to explain the future direction of Hwasun county administration. Photo by Hwasun County

"Advancing the Vaccine Specialized District... Making Hwasun the Center of Korea’s Bio Industry"

Governor Lim identified the bio and vaccine industry as Hwasun’s core competitive strength.

Currently, the Hwasun Vaccine Specialized District has developed into a leading Korean bio cluster, with 34 bio and medical companies and 15 research institutes concentrated there, enabling integrated research, clinical work, and production. He said, “Our goal is to elevate this foundation into an advanced medical complex,” adding, “We will attract institutions such as the GIST Bio Campus, Chosun University Bio Campus, and the integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju Bio Promotion Agency to strengthen R&D and nurture specialized talent.”

Additionally, Governor Lim is planning to establish agricultural industrial complexes based on smart farms and bio-food in the former mining areas, thereby creating a new growth model that links the bio industry with advanced agriculture.

Lim projected, "If Hwasun Jeonnam University Hospital, the vaccine district, and advanced agriculture are organically connected, it will not only revitalize the local economy but also continue to create stable, high-quality jobs for young people in the area."

"Transforming Hwasun into a City Where Young People Return, Not Leave"

As a core solution to the decline of local populations, Lim emphasized supporting youth settlement.

He noted, "Solving housing issues alone is not enough for young people to settle," further stressing, "Comprehensive residential conditions including well-paid jobs, education, childcare, and transportation must all improve together."

His flagship policy is the nation’s first '10,000-won Rental Housing Support Project.' Since 2023, Hwasun County has been supplying 100 units annually for a total of 400 units as part of this initiative, which has been spotlighted as a benchmark model for local governments across the country.

On the industrial front, Lim plans to advance the bio-health sector while simultaneously nurturing smart farms and the bio-food industry in former mining areas. By attracting GIST and Chosun University bio campuses, the county will foster local talent and build a virtuous cycle leading to youth employment at local businesses.

He also announced plans to create residential zones supporting the semiconductor mega cluster, vaccine industry complex, and advanced medical complex via the Samcheon District urban development project. Furthermore, he aims to improve living conditions by establishing Hwasun-specific 24-hour childcare centers and building new metropolitan railways.

"In the Metropolitan Special City Era, Hwasun Will Be the Central Hub for Bio and Transportation"

Governor Lim described the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan Special City as a significant opportunity for new growth.

“Even before the integration, Hwasun and Gwangju together promoted the designation of an advanced medical complex,” he said. “With the Special City’s launch, the foundation has been laid to develop the bio industry on a much larger scale.”

He continued, “We plan to actively cooperate so that Gwangju and Hwasun can serve as the central axis leading Korea’s bio-health industry.”

Governor Lim also intends to leverage Hwasun’s geographical advantage at the heart of Jeonnam-Gwangju to build metropolitan railway and transportation networks, including the Gwangju-Hwasun line, thereby improving residential conditions and contributing to balanced development between east and west.

"Shifting Tourism from Sightseeing to Destination Stays"

Lim announced a shift in tourism policy toward destination-focused tourism.

“In the past, tourism in Hwasun focused on quick visits,” he said. “We intend to convert this to tourism where people stay and spend in the region.”

To this end, Governor Lim will promote medical and healing tourism based on Hwasun Jeonnam University Hospital’s healthcare infrastructure and expand healing tourism by linking major tourist assets—Hwasun Jeokbyeok (Red Cliffs), the Dolmen Site, Unjusa Temple—with local agricultural products and wellness programs. In particular, he expects that linking the hospital, which attracts over 600,000 visitors annually, with tourism resources will create a new market for medical tourism.

He also plans to operate a stamp tour and tourist incentive programs by connecting local festivals such as the Dolmen Autumn Flower Festival, Hwasun’s 11 scenic views, traditional markets, and local restaurants, thus increasing visitor stay times and local spending.

"Building a County Administration Where Residents Participate in Policy Decisions"

Governor Lim highlighted that his first approval as the 9th administration’s governor was for the launch of the Citizens’ Policy Companions Group, underscoring resident participation as a core value in county administration.

“We are operating the Citizens’ Policy Companions Group to ensure that citizens’ voices are directly reflected in policy,” he explained. “We have also opened a direct communication room under the governor’s office and a direct communication channel with the governor, so residents can provide feedback and policy suggestions at any time.”

He further emphasized, “We will not only incorporate citizen proposals into policy but also deliver the outcomes back to citizens, creating a responsible communication framework. My goal is to be a governor who collaborates and seeks answers together with the people.”

Governor Lim concluded, “The next four years represent a golden period for reviving the local economy, fostering future industries, and improving residential conditions. Together with the residents, I will help shape Hwasun’s future into a city where anyone would want to live—a future growth city where young people choose to return.”

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