Chungnam Province has organized a meeting to hear opinions from 6 cities/counties and experts before establishing the '2nd Comprehensive Island Nurturing Plan (2026-2030)', which will serve as a blueprint for island development.

The province announced that on the 10th, an interim report meeting for the '2nd Chungnam Comprehensive Island Nurturing Plan Research Service' was held in the small meeting room of the provincial government office, attended by around 20 people including Park Sang-yong, head of the Maritime Affairs and Port Division, representatives from 6 cities/counties, experts, and researchers from the Korea Institute for Island Development and the Chungnam Institute.

The interim report meeting was arranged to enhance policy implementation by reviewing the progress of the research and the achievements of the 1st Comprehensive Island Nurturing Plan, based on the basic direction presented in the kickoff meeting in April, and by reflecting expert and city/county opinions.

Attendees shared the results of the analysis of changes in island conditions and current status, as well as the performance analysis of the unit projects of the 1st Comprehensive Island Nurturing Plan, through the interim report presented by Choi Ji-ho, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Island Development, who is in charge of the research.

Following this, discussions focused on strategic approaches for the four development sectors: residential and living environment, industry and economy, culture and tourism, and environment and ecology, while sharing the vision of "sustainable and happy Chungnam islands where residents create together and everyone enjoys."

The province plans to present a balanced development direction that improves the quality of life for island residents while preserving the unique value of the islands, through resident surveys and the discovery of new projects by December.

Based on the tasks derived thereafter, the province plans to propose projects and policies to be reflected in the government's 5th Comprehensive Island Development Plan (2028-2037).

Park Sang-yong, head of the Maritime Affairs and Port Division, stated, "The main agents of island development are the residents, and the comprehensive plan will be established so that all provincial residents can enjoy the benefits." He added, "We will do our best to create sustainable and happy Chungnam islands through a plan established and implemented by resident leadership and collaboration among various stakeholders."

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