Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jinseon: "After 100 Days in Office, I'll Prepare Yangpyeong for the Next 100 Years"

Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jinseon highlights "communication, promises, and the future"

Pursues 120 pledges, including a county hospital, expressway, and horse racing park

Boosts tourism with Namhan River environmental education vessel and Semiwon national garden bid

Extends resource recycling center use by 30 years... "Extraordinary sacrifices deserve extraordinary compensation"

On the 100th day of his ninth popularly elected term, Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jinseon identified establishing a county hospital, advancing the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project, and attracting a horse racing park by relocating the Yongmunsan shooting range as key priorities. Since regulations to protect the water supply for the Seoul metropolitan area have constrained local development, he said he aims to secure support and compensation commensurate with the sacrifices residents have made.

Yangpyeong County Chief Jeon Jinseon explains key achievements and the county administration's plans for the future of Yangpyeong over the next 100 years at a press briefing marking the 100th day of his term under the ninth popularly elected administration, held at the county office on the 12th. Photo by Lee Jonggu

At a press briefing marking his 100th day in office at the county office on October 12, Jeon said, "The past 100 days have been a time to prepare for Yangpyeong's next 100 years. As a county governor serving a second term, I feel the weight of responsibility more heavily than joy."

The key words at the briefing were "communication, promises, and the future." Jeon said he had continued field-oriented communication by visiting residents, institutions, and organizations in person to hear their views, and through initiatives such as a program that lets young people take part in the "Attractive County Governor" initiative and regular meetings. He also said the county would use its monthly press briefings to report the actions taken by each department in response to issues raised by the media.

The county finalized 120 pledges spanning the local economy, agriculture and tourism, welfare, and future generations. It also submitted an organizational restructuring plan to the county council to support their implementation. The plan includes strengthening functions related to future generations and digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as separating garden and forestry responsibilities. The county is also working to improve eastern-area residents' access to administrative services by placing the department responsible for forestry in Yongmun-myeon.

Jeon cited an agreement to extend the use of the resource recycling center in Jipyeong-myeon by 30 years as a major achievement of the past 100 days. He said an agreement with the residents' countermeasures committee on September 2 laid the groundwork for continued use of the existing facility.

"Without the agreement, we would have had to find a new site in another area and spend a huge amount of public money to build a facility," Jeon said. "Areas that bear extraordinary sacrifices deserve extraordinary compensation." The county plans to increase resident support funds to KRW 1.8 billion and improve living conditions in the Jipyeong area, including by expanding natural gas service and securing parking. It said it would further review some residents' requests, including expanding the areas eligible for support.

The county plans to establish a county hospital to expand public healthcare. Jeon said the county had considered expanding the functions of the existing National Traffic Injury Rehabilitation Hospital and attracting a university hospital, but faced institutional and economic limitations.

Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jinseon explains key achievements and the county administration's plans for the future direction of Yangpyeong over the next 100 years at a press briefing held at the county office on the 12th to mark his 100th day in office as head of the 9th popularly elected administration. Photo by Lee Jonggu

After consulting on the hospital project, the county plans to commission a feasibility study to determine details such as medical departments, facility size, and operating costs. It will focus on securing services needed locally, including emergency care, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology. "We need to make sure people don't move to Yangpyeong for its healthcare and then leave for Seoul again," Jeon said.

Regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, the county plans to commission its own study to formulate the area's position. It has allocated KRW 55 million for the study and plans to present its views to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and politicians based on the results. "We shouldn't just wait for the government's decision; we also need to prepare the option that would benefit Yangpyeong County the most," Jeon said.

The county also plans to link the relocation of the Yongmunsan shooting range with efforts to attract a horse racing park. It will propose consolidating the existing range with the shooting range in the Cheongun area and consider relocation measures if residents of the proposed relocation site want them. The county also plans to discuss with the Ministry of National Defense ways to increase the local population, including building apartments for military personnel.

On attracting a horse racing park, Jeon said, "Yangpyeong has endured regulations for a long time to protect the water supply for the metropolitan area. We will actively explain to politicians the sacrifices made by the region and the need for balanced development." Relocating the shooting range and attracting a horse racing park will require gathering residents' opinions and consulting with relevant agencies.

In tourism, the county is pursuing the operation of an environmental education vessel on the Namhan River and national garden designation for Semiwon. The electric-powered vessel is being planned as tourism and educational content that will let visitors experience the river's ecology and scenery.

The county plans to seek national garden designation for Semiwon and develop it further into an international peace park. It will accelerate efforts to create a garden city in conjunction with the Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo, which opens on October 16, and plans to establish a dedicated department to oversee related work.

"Yangpyeong has developed on the foundations of National Route 6 and the Jungang Line railway," Jeon said. "Now we need to create new economic vitality by making use of the Namhan River." He also outlined a vision for Semiwon to build on the symbolic significance of Dumulmeori, where the Namhan and Bukhan rivers meet, and develop into an international space for peace, beyond its designation as a national garden.

Yangpyeong County Mayor Jeon Jinseon explains key achievements and the county’s policy priorities for the next 100 years at a press briefing held at the county office on the 12th, marking 100 days since the launch of the ninth popularly elected administration. Photo by Lee Jonggu

Jeon said the county would listen carefully to residents' views before selecting a site for a memorial park. He also identified attracting an educational institution operated by Korea Polytechnics and developing an eco-friendly technovalley on the site of the Hanwha Resort in Okcheon-myeon as priorities.

To improve regulations on water sources, the county plans to hold a seminar before the end of the year to discuss the possibility of relocating water intake areas. It will also work with local governments in the Han River basin to explore ways to improve the regulatory system.

"We will fulfill our 120 pledges and prepare for the next 100 years for young people, older residents, and Yangpyeong's future," Jeon said. "We will work hand in hand with county residents to help Yangpyeong take its place at the heart of South Korea."

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