INTERVIEW North Jeolla governor emphasizes importance of diplomacy
North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young / Courtesy of North Jeolla provincial government
Future mobility, hydrogen industries and tourism on Kim Kwan-young's agenda
By Ko Dong-hwan
The Koryo Theater in Kazakhstan's Almaty last weekend saw Korean artists dressed in hanbok, performing “pansori” (Korean musical storytelling) and other cultural gems passed down from the ancestors of Korea's North Jeolla Province. Hundreds of locals, including those of Korean ethnicity, packed the venue to watch the show, organized by a delegation from the North Jeolla provincial government.
The event happened less than a month after envoys from the Kazakhstan government and the local council of Almaty Region visited North Jeolla Province to sign a mutual partnership.
During the same month in Shanghai, four local firms from the North Jeolla Province joined the SIAL Global Food Industry Summit, promoting local Korean foods and trade opportunities to local Chinese and guests from around the world.
North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young was particularly inspired by the scenes, believing that diplomacy has become an essential part of policy for local government.
This firm belief has emerged through key policies since he took office in July 2022, as evidenced by his government's partnership with 11 local governments in China, the United States, Japan, Vietnam and Russia.
“With Korean exports to China slowing down, we're seeing an increasing need for diversified diplomatic relationships so as to boost the local economy,” Kim told The Korea Times. “Considering myself a provincial salesman, I want to expand our region's economic territory regardless of which countries we trade with.”
A delegation of pansori performers in hanbok dresses from North Jeolla Province and representatives of the local ethnic Korean community pose at the Koryo Theater in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 16. Courtesy of North Jeolla provincial government
Which industries a local region specializes in can turn the heads of those with business interests worldwide. Local industries in North Jeolla Province have a certain competitive edge, thanks to the homegrown automobile sector and Saemangeum, a huge estuarine tidal flat on the western coast, which was reclaimed from the sea in order to create 409 square kilometers of new useable land.
The province's geographical symbol made headlines last April when LG Chem, a local chemical and medical giant, decided to invest 1.2 trillion won ($937 million) in the province to build a new manufacturing facility for rechargeable batteries.
Key sectors the governor mentioned include green hydrogen production at Saemangeum with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons. The vast coastal site also caters to the province as a testing ground for newly developed self-driving vehicles. Carbon material-based manufacturing ― the province being the country's only place that produces domestic carbon fiber ― is another core sector that contributes to developing space launchers and national defense weapons, according to the governor.
Another major sector that the governor believes can generate business is tourism. In August, the 25th World Scout Jamboree will be held in Saemangeum. To Kim, it's a fantastic opportunity to show off the area to over 43,000 teens and their guardians from overseas. Previously in February, the province dispatched a delegation to Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote tourism. The authority will carry out the same efforts in planned global events later this year in Mexico and Germany.
“Taekwondo, K-pop and K-foods are deeply rooted in North Jeolla Province, which gives us an edge for attracting tourists globally,” Kim said. The governor has a particular goal to boost taekwondo locally by introducing international tournaments and learning programs for global fans of the sport whose number has now grown to approximately over 100 million.
North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young, left, shakes hands with Khaled Mohamed Rashed Musabah Alremeithi, president of Al Fattan LTechUVC Green Energy in United Arab Emirates, after signing a memorandum of understanding to foster the green hydrogen industry, at the provincial government office in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, June 7. Courtesy of North Jeolla provincial government
Kim also recommended a coastal scenic site in Gunsan with 57 small islands close together as a tourism destination. The islands on Monday were upgraded to a national geological park by the Ministry of Environment.
“It was selected by CNN twice in 2014 and 2022 as a place that shouldn't be missed,” he said. “With the park accessible via bridges, it's a perfect getaway destination from the cities.”
The local government's abilities to design and execute policies have already been proven domestically.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety conducted a job assessment for 2022 regarding the country's 17 metropolitan and provincial governments and bestowed the crown on North Jeolla in May. The provincial authority passed 80 out of 82 assessment categories and registered over 97 percent concerning its goal execution capacity.
What attracted the ministry's attention most were three provincial policies that proved to be innovative. They focused on creating gender equality within government, forming active ties between government and local sports clubs, and introducing new services for local agricultural communities in order to boost the economy and social accommodation.
Introducing dedicated policies for the young local population, who are increasingly leaving the province to search for better jobs in Seoul and its surrounding areas, is another key policy the governor highlighted. Subsidies for young people to help when job seeking and asset accumulation, have received rave reviews from the beneficiaries, according to the governor.
“Further slashing down living expenses, including rental and housing costs for newly wedded couples, is now on our agenda, while we also should create more quality jobs and training opportunities for them,” the governor said.
“With jobs and living conditions secured, they won't have to leave North Jeolla Province.”