Governor Park Wansu Checks Livelihood in Tongyeong and Geoje Ahead of Chuseok

Governor Park Wansu of South Gyeongsang Province visited Tongyeong and Geoje, areas that suffered severe damage from extreme heavy rains this past summer, to check on the local livelihood.

On the 21st, Governor Park visited Tongyeong Central Traditional Market, where he gave Chuseok greetings to market merchants and local residents shopping for the holiday. He also observed the atmosphere of the market ahead of the holiday and listened to voices at the scene.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (second from right), is shopping for Chuseok at Tongyeong Central Traditional Market, encouraging purchases at the traditional market. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

He stopped by stores selling dried seafood, live fish, vegetables, and shellfish in turn, purchasing supplies for ritual food himself and checking prices on groceries.

He then met with officials from the merchants’ association to hear about the market situation following the summer flood disaster and to exchange opinions on revitalizing the traditional market and improving its environment.

Governor Park instructed the public officials accompanying him, saying, “Please carefully check prices during the holidays as actually felt by residents and the business conditions of the merchants,” and added, “Every request raised at the scene must be thoroughly addressed.”

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu (center front row) and Tongyeong Fire Station personnel are taking a commemorative photo together. [Photo by Gyeongsangnam-do]

Afterward, Governor Park visited the Tongyeong Fire Station to thank the firefighters who were on the front lines responding to the flood damage last August, including providing drainage support over 100 times and conducting landslide rescue operations.

He also asked them to do their best to prevent fires and maintain a swift emergency response posture throughout the holiday period.

Governor Park then moved to the Geoje Regional Self-Sufficiency Center, which participates in various projects such as making Hope Lunchboxes, operating convenience stores, and cultivating agricultural products. There, he met with participants and staff of the self-sufficiency project to check working conditions and the support provided for independence.

He toured facilities such as the education room, food ingredient pre-processing workshop, restaurant, and woodworking shop, meticulously checking actual working conditions including each business group’s sales channels, heating and cooling systems, and rest areas.

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu (fourth from the left) is having a conversation with participants in the self-sufficiency project at the Geoje Regional Self-Sufficiency Center.
[Photo by Gyeongsangnam-do]

In particular, he emphasized the need to push forward without delays the construction project for the new Geoje Regional Self-Sufficiency Center—currently underway with a total investment of approximately KRW 4.7 billion and scheduled for completion in 2029—in order to further expand the foundation for self-sufficiency.

Governor Park said, “I will carefully inspect sites in each field to ensure that everyone enjoys a warm Chuseok," adding, "I will thoroughly look after the livelihood of all residents to ensure that no one is left behind, including those affected by flood damage, merchants in traditional markets, firefighters guarding the frontlines, and participants in self-sufficiency projects.”

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