Yeongyang County Forms a “Strong Partnership”... Lee Jeongheon and Lee Youngho Named Honorary Citizens

Contributions to Resolving Core Issues Such as Basic Income and Wildfire Recovery
Expanding Policy Cooperation Networks Connecting to the Central Government

Yeongyang County has selected National Assemblyman Lee Jeongheon and former Assemblyman Lee Youngho as honorary citizens in recognition of their contributions to resolving local issues and improving the welfare of county residents.

On August 12, Yeongyang County announced that at the National Assembly office of Assemblyman Lee Jeongheon (The Minjoo Party of Korea, Seoul Gwangjin A), honorary county badges were presented to both Assemblyman Lee and former Assemblyman Lee.

Odoh Chang, Mayor of Yeongyang County (fifth from the left), is awarding honorary citizenship certificates to current and former National Assembly members Lee Jungheon and Lee Youngho and taking a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Yeongyang County]

This selection of honorary citizens was made to express gratitude for the policy support and cooperation shown by the two individuals during the county's efforts to address major issues—such as population decline, local extinction countermeasures, and disaster recovery. The county also aimed to further strengthen the foundation for cooperation between the central government and the region.

Assemblyman Lee Jeongheon has continuously shown keen interest in issues of population decline and local extinction, supporting Yeongyang County so that its policy concerns could be discussed at the national and central government level.

In particular, during the implementation of the Yeongyang County basic income pilot program, he served as a bridge between the central government and the National Assembly, providing policy support throughout the process.

During a large wildfire that occurred last year, the county explained that he also contributed by cooperating to ensure smooth recovery, securing national funding, and facilitating government assistance, thereby supporting the recovery of daily life for affected residents and local stability.

Former Assemblyman Lee Youngho, after serving as a member of the 17th National Assembly, has supported the resolution of key issues in Yeongyang County based on his experience as Head of the Rural Policy Division for a presidential candidate and as Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries in the presidential office, utilizing his network in the central government.

He has also been recognized for broadening the foundation for cooperation between central government and related organizations, and for playing a role in policy support and external cooperation for regional development. Based on these contributions, Yeongyang County selected the two as honorary citizens following approval by the county council.

Odochang, Head of Yeongyang County, said, "I deeply appreciate both of you for your unwavering interest and support in resolving major issues and promoting the development of Yeongyang County. I look forward to your continued partnership for the sustainable development of Yeongyang and the happiness of its residents."

Assemblyman Lee Jeongheon stated, "I sincerely thank the people of Yeongyang for bestowing me with this meaningful honor. Going forward, I will do my utmost as a partner for Yeongyang County to resolve local issues and achieve sustainable development."

Former Assemblyman Lee Youngho also remarked, "I thank the residents for granting me the honor of being named an honorary citizen of Yeongyang County. I will continue to support the development of Yeongyang and the happiness of its people without change."

Yeongyang County plans to leverage this honorary citizenship appointment not as a mere formality, but as an opportunity to expand its policy network connecting central political circles, the government, and related organizations.

In particular, given the accumulation of complex issues—such as population decline, local extinction, improvement of rural living conditions, and disaster response—that are difficult to address at the level of a basic local government, the county plans to expand policy cooperation with the central government and the National Assembly through ongoing exchanges with honorary citizens.

In rural areas facing the structural crisis of population decline and local extinction, connectivity with the central government serves as a crucial channel for transforming regional issues into actual policy and budget initiatives.

This honorary citizenship selection is meaningful not only as recognition of achievement, but also as a step in expanding Yeongyang County's policy network with the central government and establishing a stronger foundation for voicing local concerns in national policymaking.

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