Uljin-gun County Chief Hwang I-ju holds a press briefing marking his first 100 days in office at the county hall's main conference room on Wednesday. [Photo by Kim Byung-jin]
Uljin-gun County Chief Hwang I-ju holds a press briefing marking his first 100 days in office at the county hall's main conference room on Wednesday. [Photo by Kim Byung-jin]

Uljin-gun County Chief Hwang I-ju said Wednesday that the Geumgang pine forest cluster is "a national forest resource that the South Korean government must protect together, beyond being just a local asset," and called for strong government-level action after 215 pine trees in the area were infected by pine wilt disease since last year.

Hwang made the remarks at a press briefing marking the first 100 days of the ninth directly elected county administration, held that morning at the Uljin-gun county hall. "I will be the county chief who protects the Uljin Geumgang pine, the most valuable natural treasure in South Korea," he said.

He warned that the threat is drawing closer. "Five infected trees were recently found near the Manghyang rest stop. This area is no longer a safe zone," he said, adding that the nearest infected tree to the Geumgang pine forest cluster is now just over 10 kilometers away.

Hwang said that following his request for a meeting, Korea Forest Service Commissioner Park Eun-sik visited the Wolsongjeong coastal pine area in Uljin on Thursday to inspect the site. "I explained the need to establish a preemptive control system to stop the spread of pine wilt disease and called for the creation of a control belt," he said.

He also said he urged the government to commit bold investment and budget support to protect the Uljin Geumgang pine, which he described as having the highest conservation value in South Korea. "The commissioner accepted my views," he added.

On the livelihood support fund that has recently become a point of contention with the county council, Hwang reaffirmed the policy's intent to revitalize the local economy and support small business owners. He pledged to pay out the basic income — which he called "happiness energy income" — in the first half of next year, after completing the necessary steps including consultations with relevant agencies and the enactment of a local ordinance.

On the issue of a high-level radioactive waste management facility, Hwang said he would "prioritize safety, provide residents with sufficient information through a public deliberation process, and then make a decision in accordance with the will of the people."

Regarding transportation infrastructure, he said a highway connecting Cheongsong IC to Hupo must be built, and pledged to work toward widening National Route 36 to four lanes and constructing a highway linking Yeongdeok, Uljin and Samcheok.

When asked whether he would remain an independent county chief, Hwang was measured in his response.

"There are pros and cons to being an independent, but given the current political situation, I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages," he said, adding that he places great importance on the choices of county residents.

Hwang closed the briefing by saying that "the roles of residents, public officials and the press are all important for the development of county governance," and pledged to listen closely to residents' voices and work to bring about changes they can feel through communication and cooperation.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com