Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Woo Sang-ho holds press briefing
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Woo Sang-ho said Monday that Gangneung's bid to attract public institutions under the second round of relocations is impossible, because policy firmly requires such moves to go only to existing innovation cities already developed in select cities nationwide.
Speaking at a press briefing at the provincial government office, Woo said President Lee Jae Myung's firm principle is to relocate public institutions in the second round exclusively to existing innovation cities — so as to avoid wasting administrative resources and costs — meaning local governments without an innovation city cannot participate, no matter how eager they are.
"Because the principle is firm, there is no possibility that the destination regions for public institution relocations will change," he said, adding that he had already conveyed this clearly to Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam.
Woo said that if public institutions are sent to Wonju, the province will pursue equity by channeling other projects and support to areas that do not receive them. He also acknowledged criticism that public institution relocations have often failed to generate meaningful regional development, suggesting the problem may lie in poor administrative follow-through in creating synergies. He urged Wonju — which has an innovation city — not to neglect that aspect.
On the future of agency heads under the provincial government who were appointed during the previous, eighth elected-term administration — which belonged to a different party than the current governor — Woo said some had already submitted their resignations. He added that he would introduce an ordinance during his term to align the tenures of provincial agency heads with that of the governor.
Gangwon Province is currently conducting a comprehensive audit of operating-expense usage at its affiliated agencies and has said it will hold agency heads accountable and take legal action if any unlawful spending is found.
Beyond the nine national and local roads in Gangwon Province that recently passed a preliminary feasibility study, Woo said he would pursue projects that failed the review but remain critically important — either by finding ways to proceed without a feasibility study or by strengthening proposals and reapplying.
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