North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly member Song Byeong-gil. [Provided by North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly]
North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly member Song Byeong-gil. [Provided by North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly]

Song Byeong-gil, a North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly member from the People Power Party representing Sangju, used an administrative audit to scrutinize key issues including the quality of farmer training programs, Dokdo promotion efforts, residential conditions on the islets, and the planned relocation of the provincial agricultural technology institute.

At the audit held Thursday, Song examined the operational progress and improvement tasks of three agencies: the Agricultural Food Distribution and Education Promotion Institute, the Dokdo Foundation and the Agricultural Technology Institute.

During the audit of the Agricultural Food Distribution and Education Promotion Institute, Song said about 2 billion won ($1.5 million) — roughly 54 percent of the 3.8 billion won budget for the Farmer Military Academy training program — was being channeled to contracted education providers, and called for thorough oversight of the curriculum, budget execution and outcomes.

Song particularly said the program should expand hands-on, case-based instruction so farmers can apply what they learn directly in the field.

Song urged the Dokdo Foundation to consider relocating its office and promotional center to central Pohang or a similarly accessible location to improve public access.

Song also noted that no civilian residents currently live on Dokdo and urged the foundation to take concrete steps to improve living conditions there, including upgrading residential facilities and the overall residential environment.

Turning to the Agricultural Technology Institute, Song said preparations for its planned 2028 relocation to Sangju must proceed without delay, and stressed the importance of safety management during winter construction.

Song called on the institute to spare no effort in carrying out the project so that it can serve as a new hub for North Gyeongsang Province's agricultural sector after the move.

"I will continue to monitor key issues — including education that provides real, practical benefits to farmers, strengthening the effective management of Dokdo, and the relocation of the Agricultural Technology Institute — to ensure they proceed without a hitch," Song said.


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