Focusing on Expanding the Defense Industry Base, Preparing for the World Strawberry Industry Expo, and Expanding the Wide-area Transportation Network 

Chungnam Province is joining forces with Nonsan to expand its defense industry base and boost the competitiveness of its strawberry industry and cultural tourism.

On the 2nd, Governor Park Soo-hyun held the 12th leg of 'Chungnam Tong(通)-haeng' in Nonsan, listening to the voices of citizens and local issues while sharing the direction of the 9th popularly elected provincial administration and visions for Nonsan's development.

Following a breakfast meeting with Mayor Baek Seong-hyun, the day's itinerary included a press briefing, a visit to the city council, and a dialogue with citizens.

The dialogue with citizens, held at the main auditorium of the Nonsan Art Center, was hosted by Jeon Seung-won, an official working for the 2027 Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo Organizing Committee, and singer Jin Hong-ju's "Nonsan Station Love" graced the venue.

Governor Park explained the progress of opinions received during the town hall meeting last June, answered questions and suggestions from citizens, and discussed regional development measures. Outside the venue, the province operated an "On-site Direct Grievance Office with the Governor" to consult on and accept daily life inconveniences and suggestions, and plans to manage the processing procedures and results after review by the relevant departments.

For the sustainable development of Nonsan, the province will first focus on research, testing, verification, and expanding the production base for the defense industry.

The Nonsan National Defense Industrial Complex will be supported for prompt creation in cooperation with Nonsan City and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and the defense innovation cluster selected through the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) public contest last June will promote the establishment of a foundation for the artificial intelligence (AI) defense robot field and support companies in technology development and commercialization.

For the National Defense Future Technology Research Center, a service for establishing a basic plan for the second stage is underway, and related procedures such as site purchase and strategic environmental impact assessment are scheduled to be pursued afterward.

The province plans to continuously petition the government and the National Assembly on the necessity of attracting defense-related public institutions to the province and continue joint responses with Nonsan City.

The province is also concentrating on raising the competitiveness of Nonsan strawberries and expanding the foundation for future agriculture.

The 2027 Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo is preparing exhibition halls, content development, and venue infrastructure, and is preparing visitor convenience and safety measures together with Nonsan City.

The strawberry industry smart farm complex project will support the second-stage infrastructure development and the agricultural settlement of resident farmers to expand the base for high-quality strawberry production.

In the cultural tourism sector, the province will promote related procedures such as the design of the K-Heritage Valley and support the creation of the Sannori Natural Culture and Arts Village and the Adventure Kids Park around Lake Tapjeong.

To expand the wide-area transportation network, the province will jointly respond to the reflection of the Chungcheong East-West Expressway in the national plan, and consult with related agencies so that the third stage of the Chungcheong-圏 wide-area railway connecting Ganggyeong to Gyeryong can proceed with subsequent procedures in line with the progress of the Honam Line high-speed project.

Governor Park stated, "We will join forces with Nonsan City so that Nonsan's strengths in the defense industry, strawberries, and history and culture can lead to corporate growth, jobs, and vitality in the local economy."

Governor Park plans to continue 'Chungnam Tong-haeng' this month in Seocheon, Cheonan, and Yesan.

Dialogues with residents of each city and county are broadcast live through the provincial official YouTube channel, "Chungnam TV," allowing provincial residents who cannot attend the venue to submit their opinions through real-time comments.

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