Yangpyeong-gun held the completion ceremony for the Jipyeong Harmony Center. On the 14th, Yangpyeong-gun (Governor Jeon Jeon-seon) held the completion ceremony for the ‘Jipyeong Harmony Center’, which was created as part of the Jipyeong-myeon basic living base creation project.
At the event, about 150 people, including Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jin-seon, county council members Choi Young-bo, Song Jin-wook, and Ji Min-hee, Korea Rural Community Corporation Yangpyeong Branch Manager Shin Kyeong-sam, and village residents, attended to celebrate the completion of the Jipyeong Harmony Center.
The recently completed Jipyeong Harmony Center is part of the Jipyeong-myeon basic living base creation project and is equipped with core facilities where everyone from teenagers to the elderly can live together. With a total floor area of 567㎡, the first floor is a multi-purpose room, the second floor is a resident education center and community facility, and the third floor is a youth rest area to promote harmony among residents.
Lee Seong-won, chairman of the Jipyeong-myeon Basic Living Base Promotion Committee, said, “We thank the officials of Yangpyeong-gun and the Korea Rural Community Corporation for their hard work in creating the Jipyeong Harmony Center, and we will work harder to create Jipyeong-myeon where residents become one.”
County Governor Jin Jeon-seon said, “I am pleased that a space has been created in Jipyeong where everyone, from teenagers to the elderly, can mingle. It will improve the living conditions of Jipyeong-myeon residents and become a place of opportunity for the increase in Jipyeong-myeon’s population.”
The Jipyeong-myeon Basic Living Base Creation Project, selected in 2019, is a regional development project that seeks to improve the quality of life of residents and revitalize the region, including improving settlement conditions, with a total project cost of 3.9 billion (KRW 2.73 billion in government funds and 1.17 billion won in military expenses). Projects such as capacity building projects and the creation of the Harmony Center, Jipyeong Stream Vitality Rest Area, and Jipyeong Story Rest Area were promoted.
Meanwhile, Yangpyeong Youth Culture House signed a business agreement with the Dong-A Ilbo Cultural Business Headquarters on the 13th to carry out the ‘National Student Science Invention Contest – Youth Science Invention Coding Camp’ project.
This agreement was promoted for the purpose of supporting the development of programs to help young people develop their thinking and problem-solving skills in the future digital world. A camp is scheduled to be held at the Yangpyeong Youth Culture House in December.
‘2024 Yangpyeong Youth Science Invention Coding Camp’ is a problem-solving program that shares winning cases from the National Student Science Invention Contest and provides youth with the opportunity to experience converting their thoughts into digital language through logical thinking and design understanding. . It is differentiated from the existing experience of simply building a structure, coding and inputting a program, and running it. It is a two-person cooperative project experience that presents a mission situation, sets logical thinking steps through a given software program, and solves a problem. .
Director Park Hye-jeong of the Yangpyeong Youth Culture Center said, “We want to unfold capacity-building programs that allow our Yangpyeong youth to keenly discover problem situations that they think and feel in their daily lives and solve them creatively and logically through technology that converts them into digital codes.” announced the purpose of the agreement and business plan intentions.
Kim Min-hwan, manager of Dong-A Ilbo’s cultural business division, who attended the business agreement on this day, revealed that Dong-A Ilbo has focused on and contributed to nurturing world-class talent through various cultural and arts career projects such as the Dong-A International Music Competition, and said, “Through previous projects, the I saw firsthand that diverse experiences and opportunities can be a driving force for growth. “I am confident that the Yangpyeong Youth Science Invention Coding Camp, which is being held in conjunction with the Yangpyeong Youth Culture House, will also serve as a foundation for future capabilities through youth experiences,” he said.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo Yangpyeong-gun
How can local governments finance and sustain community development initiatives effectively?
Interview: Time.news Editor with Expert on Community Development
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone. Today, we have a special guest joining us, Dr. Lee Min-seok, an expert in community development and urban planning. We’ll be discussing the recent completion of the Jipyeong Harmony Center in Yangpyeong, which aims to foster community engagement and improve the quality of life for its residents. Thank you for being here, Dr. Lee.
Dr. Lee Min-seok (Dr. Lee): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss this significant development.
TNE: To start, can you give us an overview of what the Jipyeong Harmony Center is and its role in the local community?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely! The Jipyeong Harmony Center has been established as part of the Jipyeong-myeon basic living base creation project. With its 567 square meters of space, the center includes various facilities like a multi-purpose room, education center, and a youth rest area. Its goal is to create a communal hub that supports interaction among different age groups—from teenagers to the elderly—promoting harmony and cohesion within the community.
TNE: That sounds fantastic! How significant do you think this type of communal facility is for rural areas like Jipyeong-myeon?
Dr. Lee: It’s extremely important. Rural areas often face challenges like population decline and social isolation. By providing a space like the Jipyeong Harmony Center, residents can come together, share experiences, and participate in community activities. It can also serve as a catalyst for economic and social revitalization, enhancing the overall living conditions. Governor Jeon emphasized this, noting it would help increase Jipyeong’s population by improving local life quality.
TNE: Right! The project seems to have a multifaceted approach, combining community, education, and even youth engagement strategies. Can you elaborate on how youth programs, like the upcoming Science Invention Coding Camp, fit into this vision?
Dr. Lee: Certainly! Engaging youth is crucial for long-term community sustainability. The coding camp encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills necessary for today’s digital landscape. By fostering such programs, the Harmony Center not only nurtures the local talent pool but also stimulates innovation and provides youngsters with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to their community, reinforcing their sense of belonging.
TNE: It’s inspiring to see such initiatives. Could you share your thoughts on the financing behind these projects? The report mentioned a total cost of around 3.9 billion KRW. What does this investment mean for future community projects?
Dr. Lee: The investment of 3.9 billion KRW, which includes both government and military funds, reflects a strong commitment to community development. It demonstrates that the government recognizes the need for infrastructural improvements and social programs in rural areas. This financial backing can pave the way for more projects, as it establishes a model that can be replicated in other regions. Such investments signify hope and commitment to enhancing quality of life in rural settings.
TNE: Very insightful. As we look to the future, what further steps can be taken to ensure the success of the Jipyeong Harmony Center and similar projects?
Dr. Lee: Ongoing engagement with the community is vital. Regular feedback sessions can help organizers adjust programs based on residents’ needs. Moreover, building partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions can enhance resource availability and program diversity. This collaboration will ensure that these centers remain dynamic spaces that adapt over time to serve their communities effectively.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your expertise on this invigorating topic. The Jipyeong Harmony Center is indeed a promising initiative with the potential to strengthen the fabric of its community.
Dr. Lee: Thank you! I’m hopeful for the future of Jipyeong and other communities looking to implement similar changes.
TNE: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We hope you’ve gained insight into how community development projects can enhance rural living. Until next time!