Governor Park Soo-hyun visits Buyeo for “Chungnam Tong(通)haeng”… Sharing and discussing provincial administration and Buyeo’s development plans

Focused promotion includes establishing the National Historical and Cultural Zone Promotion Agency and laying the foundation for a traditional Korean-style house (Hanok) complex 

Choongnam Province is concentrating its administrative capabilities on systematically preserving and utilizing Buyeo’s Baekje historical and cultural assets, expanding medical and transportation infrastructure, and preventing flood damage to boost local economic vitality and improve the quality of life for county residents.

On the 15th, Governor Park Soo-hyun conducted the ninth leg of “Chungnam Tong(通)haeng” in Buyeo, listening to residents' voices and local pending issues while sharing the direction of the 9th popular election's provincial administration and Buyeo's development vision.

The Chungnam Tonghaeng event on this day proceeded with a breakfast meeting with County Mayor Lee Yong-woo, followed by a press conference, a visit to the county council, and a dialogue with residents.

Prior to the dialogue with residents, Governor Park visited the Buyeo National Museum to view the Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje, reflecting on the value of Baekje's culture and arts.

During the dialogue with residents held at Sabimaru in the Buyeo National Museum, Governor Park entered to the tune of singer Jin-joo's song "My Hometown Buyeo," explained the progress of opinions received through a town hall meeting last June, and answered questions and suggestions from residents.

Outside the venue, the province operated a "Governor’s Direct On-Site Civil Petition Office" to consult on and accept daily inconveniences and suggestions, ensuring that residents who did not get a chance to speak during the dialogue could still convey their opinions.

The received opinions will undergo review by relevant departments to systematically manage the processing procedure and results, with plans to reflect them in provincial administration when deemed necessary.

For the sustainable development of Buyeo, the province will first focus on the preservation, maintenance, and utilization of Baekje royal capital's core heritage sites.

Targeting 12 core heritage sites in the Buyeo area, including the Gwanbuk-ri site, Busosanseong Fortress, Jeongnimsa Temple Site, and Royal Tombs, the province will promote excavation surveys, academic research, land purchase, and maintenance/restoration to elevate the historical value of Baekje culture.

In cooperation with the Korea Heritage Service and Buyeo County, the province plans to prepare maintenance plans tailored to the characteristics of each site and strengthen utilization foundations so that systematic preservation and management can lead to local tourism and economic revitalization.

The province also supports the establishment of the National Historical and Cultural Zone Promotion Agency to back the maintenance and research of historical and cultural zones.

The province will pool its efforts to secure government budgets and consult with relevant organizations necessary for the operation and establishment of the agency, which will be located in Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo County, thereby supporting its hub functions for historical and cultural resource surveys, research, policy support, education, and exchanges.

The province is also expanding tourism infrastructure where people can experience Baekje history and culture and stay longer.

It will promote the construction of the public Hanok "Baekje Pavilion" as a leading project, lay the groundwork for creating a Hanok complex centered around the Gungnamji district, and foster the area into a Hanok culture hub where tradition and modernity harmonize.

Around the Gungnamji area, the province will promote the Geumgang River Basin Historical and Cultural Tourism Platform project—incorporating landscape and specialized lighting, AI tour guides, and virtual tours—to connect historical and cultural contents with nighttime tourism.

To ensure that residents receive necessary medical services stably, the province is also striving to strengthen local medical infrastructure.

Through a research service on improving medical conditions in the southern region scheduled until the end of this year, the province is reviewing plans to improve medical services, such as establishing a Buyeo branch of the Gongju Medical Center.

It plans to comprehensively analyze local medical demand, business feasibility, and operational sustainability, and prepare effective promotion measures considering Buyeo County's proposals and financial conditions.

The province is also pushing for the expansion of transportation networks to enhance Buyeo's accessibility and regional development foundation.

For the Chungcheong East-West Expressway connecting Daejeon via Boryeong, Buyeo, Gongju, Nonsan, and Gyeryong, the province will jointly respond with related local governments and organizations so that it is reflected in national plans, such as the 3rd Expressway Construction Plan.

The Singumgang Bridge, connecting Jangam-myeon and Seokseong-myeon, will conclude its detailed design by the end of this year, followed by subsequent procedures such as compensation and construction bidding next year, accelerating the project toward its completion target in 2029.

Disaster prevention projects are also being strengthened to protect residents' daily lives and agricultural infrastructure from recurring flood damage.

The province and Buyeo County will unearth water disaster prevention and water circulation improvement projects in frequently flooded areas, aiming for selection in next year's water circulation promotion zone public contest.

During the process of materializing target zones and detailed projects, the province plans to support the establishment of business plans and consultations with related organizations, while concurrently securing national funds for drainage improvement projects and discovering new districts.

The province will also focus on responding to the expanded contest for the rural basic income pilot project to boost rural income foundations and local economic vitality.

If Buyeo County is selected for the pilot project, the province will provide provincial funding and continuously request an increase in the national funding share to reduce the local government's financial burden.

In addition, the province will support the smooth creation of the Buyeo General Industrial District and the attraction of companies, expanding local jobs and industrial foundations by utilizing the investment incentives of the Opportunity Development Zone.

Governor Park stated, "We will join forces with Buyeo County so that the history and culture of Baekje preserved in Buyeo can lead to the vitality of the local economy, and so that residents can feel the expansion of medical, transportation, and safety infrastructure in their daily lives."

Governor Park plans to continue Chungnam Tonghaeng in Seosan on the 19th and Gyeryong on the 23rd, followed by Nonsan, Seocheon, Cheonan, and Yesan next month.

The dialogue with residents of each city and county is broadcast live through the provincial official YouTube channel, "Chungnam TV," allowing residents who cannot attend the site to deliver their opinions on local pending issues and daily inconveniences through real-time comments.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]