Jeonnam Province announces its future vision at the Local Era Expo. At the ’2024 Korea Local Era Expo’ held at Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do for three days until the 8th, Jeollanam-do will run an exhibition hall to announce the ‘Grand Jeonnam Top 10 Projects’ containing Jeonnam’s future vision and the achievements of designation as a special opportunity development zone.
This expo, which is held under the slogan ‘Opening the local era together, a smiling Republic of Korea’, is the largest in Korea and is co-hosted by the Presidential Local Era Committee, central ministries such as the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as 17 metropolitan cities, provinces, and offices of education. It is a policy event. It will be held through commemorative events, exhibitions, conferences, and side events.
On the 6th, the ‘2024 Local Era Expo and Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day Commemoration Ceremony’ was attended by local era committee chairs, ministers of related ministries, and city and provincial governors. In particular, at this ceremony, South Jeolla Province received the Presidential Citation for its contribution to the balanced development of local industries for its contribution to the spread of eco-friendly agriculture, and its best practices were specially exhibited in the Best Practices Exhibition Hall during the Expo.
At the Jeonnam Provincial Exhibition Hall, under the theme of ‘The beginning of the regional era, with Jeonnam, the land of opportunity!’, the Grand Jeonnam Top 10 Projects, the achievements of designation as special opportunity development zones such as offshore wind power, hydrogen industry cluster, and secondary batteries, and the 2024-2026 Jeonnam World Tourism Culture Fair. , Glocal University 30, promotes the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, etc.
An offshore wind power model was installed at the entrance of the exhibition hall to increase visitors’ understanding of the Jeonnam Province’s offshore wind power industry, and inside the exhibition hall, various experience spaces were created, such as the Opportunity Development Zone Magic Wall, Media Wall, and major cultural and tourism videos.
Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok said, “I hope that Jeonnam Province’s big vision and high aspirations for local decentralization and balanced development will be widely known through this expo.” He added, “We will show regional characteristics such as the establishment of Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province to overcome the crisis of regional extinction and Jeollanam-do, a new growth engine for the future.” “We will take the lead in realizing a local era in which people can live comfortably anywhere in Korea, including by actively promoting the ‘Grand Jeonnam Top 10 Projects’ and the ‘Opportunity Development Zone,’ one of the government’s key policies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jeollanam-do received a presidential commendation for its contribution to balanced development of regional industries as an excellent example of eco-friendly agriculture at the 2024 Local Era Expo ceremony held in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do on the 6th.
The Award for Contribution to Balanced Local Industry Development (Balanced Development Project Evaluation Category) is given to local governments that have contributed to revitalizing the local community and creating community value through harmony and development of the resident community. Jeonnam Province was recognized for the achievements it has made with farmers over the past 20 years toward the legitimate goal of eco-friendly agriculture.
Eco-friendly agriculture is a farming method that promotes biodiversity to preserve a healthy ecosystem and produces agricultural products in a healthy environment. It is the culmination of efforts to pursue sustainable agriculture where nature and people coexist by using natural enemies and microorganisms without using any chemical pesticides.
In order to spread eco-friendly agriculture, Jeonnam Province enacted the ‘Jeollanam-do Ordinance on the Use and Support of Food Ingredients for School Lunches’ in 2004, the ‘Jeollanam-do Ordinance on Designating and Operating Organic Masters’ in 2010, introduced an organic eco-village in 2010, and created an eco-friendly rice integration complex in 2022. Various first-of-its-kind projects in the country were discovered and promoted.
Despite the fact that eco-friendly agriculture is difficult to tackle in rural areas where there is a shortage of labor due to aging compared to conventional agriculture, in Jeollanam-do, the area certified for eco-friendly agricultural products accounts for 13% of the farm area (as of 2022). This proves that Jeollanam-do is leading Korea’s eco-friendly agriculture to a world-class level, considering that the area certified for eco-friendly agricultural products in Korea is only 4% of the cultivated area, and that in France in Europe is 10%.
Kim Young-rok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, said, “In a situation where the importance of healthy food is increasingly emphasized due to diseases in modern society such as adult diseases, eco-friendly agriculture is not a ‘choice,’ but a ‘necessity,’” and added, “Jeonnam Province will continue to become a world-class supply base for eco-friendly agricultural products.” .
Jeonnam Province’s cases of expanding eco-friendly agriculture will be specially exhibited in the best practices exhibition hall of the 2024 Local Era Expo, which runs until the 8th, and will also be included in the 2024 Balanced Development Best Practices collection to spread successful models.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo: Jeonnam Province
Interview: Time.news Editor and Eco-Development Expert on Jeonnam Province’s Vision for the Future
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Min-Jae Park, an expert in local economic development and sustainability. We’re excited to discuss the recent Local Era Expo and the ambitious plans laid out by Jeonnam Province. Dr. Park, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to discuss such important developments in our local communities.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Jeonnam Province recently showcased its “Grand Jeonnam Top 10 Projects” at the 2024 Korea Local Era Expo. What do you think are the key takeaways from their presentation?
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Jeonnam’s initiative is remarkable! The focus on becoming a special opportunity development zone, especially with projects like offshore wind power and a hydrogen industry cluster, is crucial. It emphasizes not only economic growth but also sustainability. Their vision aligns with global trends towards renewable energy and green technology.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. The expo’s slogan, “Opening the local era together, a smiling Republic of Korea,” speaks volumes about the intention behind these developments. How important is community involvement in these initiatives?
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Community involvement is essential. Jeonnam Province has shown this by promoting eco-friendly agriculture, which is a grassroots movement for sustainability. Engaging local farmers and communities ensures that the development is inclusive and sustainable, addressing both local needs and environmental concerns.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of eco-friendly agriculture, Jeonnam Province received a presidential citation for its contributions in this area. Can you elaborate on the significance of this recognition?
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Being awarded the presidential citation is a significant achievement. It recognizes Jeonnam’s long-term commitment to eco-friendly practices that promote biodiversity and environmental health. Such commendations serve to incentivize other local governments to adopt similar sustainable practices, creating a ripple effect across the nation.
Time.news Editor: I find it fascinating that Jeonnam has enacted specific ordinances to support eco-friendly agriculture, such as the one for school lunches. How does this policy impact local agriculture and community health?
Dr. Min-Jae Park: These ordinances are pivotal. By prioritizing locally-sourced and eco-friendly food for school lunches, Jeonnam not only supports local farmers but also ensures children have access to healthier food options. This initiative cultivates a sense of community identity while fostering a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation.
Time.news Editor: Jeonnam also showcased various experience spaces at the expo. Do you think this kind of interactive engagement is effective in promoting their vision?
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Definitely! Interactive experiences help demystify complex topics like renewable energy and sustainable practices. By allowing visitors to engage with these concepts through installations like the offshore wind power model, they foster understanding and enthusiasm, which is vital for wider community support.
Time.news Editor: As we look towards the future, what do you believe are the critical next steps for Jeonnam Province to achieve its goals?
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Continued transparency and communication with the community are crucial. Jeonnam should also build partnerships with private sectors and educational institutions to promote innovation. Additionally, a strong focus on training and resources for local residents can empower them to participate actively in these developments.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Park. Your insights into Jeonnam Province’s initiatives and their implications for local and sustainable development are invaluable. As we see more regions striving for balanced development, it will be interesting to follow their progress.
Dr. Min-Jae Park: Thank you for having me. I believe Jeonnam’s efforts can serve as a blueprint for other regions to create sustainable, community-focused development strategies. Looking forward to witnessing their journey!
Time.news Editor: And to our readers, stay tuned for more updates on the incredible innovations in local governance and sustainable development across Korea!