Chungnam Governor Park Soo-hyun stated that Buyeo is a core region for South Korea's cultural tourism, pledging to pool efforts to promote various policies for tourism revitalization and to swiftly establish measures to enhance healthcare accessibility.

On the 15th, Governor Park held a press conference in the briefing room of the Buyeo County Office as part of the Buyeo 'Chungnam Tong(通)haeng' (Chungnam Communication Tour).

At the meeting, Governor Park first expressed high expectations for the National Historical and Cultural Zone Promotion Agency, which is currently being promoted for establishment.

Governor Park explained, "Buyeo is not just the core of Chungnam's cultural tourism, but the core of the entire Republic of Korea. By gathering all nine historical and cultural zones across the country into Buyeo to newly establish the National Historical and Cultural Zone Promotion Agency, we are currently coordinating its scale and staffing with the government."

He continued, "I believe the National Historical and Cultural Zone Promotion Agency will become a 'goose that lays golden eggs.' Once the control tower for the Korean Peninsula's history and culture zones is established in Buyeo, historical and cultural figures from all over the country will gather here, which will lead to the revitalization of the local economy."

Governor Park then requested the Chungnam Research Institute to propose ways to maximize the utilization of the National Historical and Cultural Zone Promotion Agency and the Baekje Royal Capital Promotion Unit, which is being promoted for establishment in Gongju.

Regarding the Hanok village project, which has been promoted since the 8th popular election period to boost tourism, he re-emphasized the 'continuity of provincial administration' and stated, "Currently, with no plans for changes, we will promote it with a sense of speed, focusing on how to make it even better."

Concerning opinions that support is needed because Buyeo had relatively fewer visitors compared to Gongju during the last Baekje Cultural Festival, he expressed, "As the provincial governor, I naturally have no choice but to ponder this," adding, "We will discuss countermeasures by putting our heads together with the mayors and county heads based on the evaluation of this Baekje Cultural Festival."

Measures to improve medical care in the Buyeo region will be devised after conducting a research service.

Governor Park explained, "Healthcare accessibility in the southwestern region of Chungnam, including Buyeo, is a very important issue. Currently, we are conducting a research service to improve healthcare accessibility in Buyeo, including the Buyeo branch of the Gongju Medical Center, and based on the results, we will consult with Buyeo County to determine the direction."

Regarding the Jicheon Dam, he stated that they are demanding answers on several points: △ whether the public discussion committee is operated fairly and transparently, △ accurate data on the province's high-tech industry investment plans and required water volume, and △ whether alternatives other than the Jicheon Dam were examined during the public discussion process.

Governor Park stated, "We are currently in the process of asking questions to the central government on behalf of the residents and receiving answers."

After explaining that they are currently grasping the exact route for the power transmission lines, he emphasized, "If it is inevitable to pass through a village, undergrounding is the principle, and resident damage must be minimized."

Regarding the pine wilt disease, he called it a "heavy task, for which we are doing our utmost," and stated that they are striving to △ secure 20 billion KRW in national funds for control next year, and △ promote timely pest control.

Governor Park added, "We initiated the model for the first time in Chungnam to use infected trees not as power plant fuel, but industrially for boards, plywood, and timber," adding that they will do their best in industrializing pest control as well.

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