[NEXT Gyeonggi Forum ⑥] On January 26, under the theme of Korean unification, medical support for North Korea and agricultural policies, Governor Nam said: “We shall prepare in advance in order to support North Korea immediately after the easing of Inter-Korean relations.”

Discussion of ‘ChangChang Taste Project’ per agricultural vision of Gyeonggi also took place 

◇ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil hosted the Next Gyeonggi Forum in his office on the morning of January 26 under the theme of Korean unification and inter-Korean medical cooperation. Governor Nam revealed his plan to prepare inter-Korean cooperation projects at a provincial level regardless of tense political relations between South and North Korea. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Jae-hoon

Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil revealed his plan to prepare inter-Korean cooperation projects at a provincial level regardless of the tense political relations between South and North Korea.

Governor Nam hosted the Next Gyeonggi Forum in his office on the morning of January 26 under the theme of Korean unification and inter-Korean medical cooperation. He emphasized, “It will be remiss to prepare inter-Korean cooperation projects after relations improve. We need to prepare in advance and launch such projects as soon as the way opens.”

Governor Nam explained, “For unification, the desire of the North Koreans to unify is essential. Cooperation in non-political fields such as medical aid and the Gaeseong Industrial Complex offer means by which to foster their support for unification.”

In addition, he ordered a review of exemplary cases of inter-Korean cooperation already being pursued by the province as well as an examination of the political direction for Gyeonggi Province regarding inter-Korean economic cooperation in the wake of the Korea-China FTA.

Governor Nam further asserted, “Among the inter-Korean cooperation policies pursued by Gyeonggi Province under former governors Sohn Hak-kyu and Kim Moon-soo, there are commendable examples. Finding advantages from the past, we should prepare such projects.” He added, “Times have been changed significantly. We should consider what we need to do first when new avenues open through the Korea-China FTA.”

At the forum that day, in addition to the hosting of the government-promoted DMZ World Ecological Peace Park in the province, the establishment of unified economic special zones along the border region and the development of a unified international city as discussed in the National Assembly were also covered.

Of particular note, and regardless of the political situation on the peninsula, the province plans to continue providing medical aid to North Korea with the aim of sustaining exchange and extending inter-Korean cooperation.

To this end, Gyeonggi Province entered a cooperative agreement with Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital and the Gaeseong Industrial Complex Support Foundation in January, and started the provision of medical aid to resident employees of South Korean companies in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex through subsidiary hospitals. Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital has been providing medical services since January 5, and Gyeonggi plans to support part of the associated operating expenses as well as the Paju Hospital medical team of the provincial medical center.

Paju Hospital is located within 40 minutes of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and so is the closest general hospital. When medical cooperation between South and North Korea is extended, it is expected to serve in the role of a base hospital.

Governor Nam explained that Gyeonggi Province expects to develop medical cooperation between South and North Korea—such as medical aid for North Korean employees as well as for their families and Gaeseong City—by continuing humanitarian support including medical aid through subsidiary hospitals as well as the malaria prevention project and the infant therapeutic support project.

The agricultural vision of Gyeonggi Province was also discussed in the forum.

On the topic of the “ChangChang Taste Project’ and its relation to the policy vision of 2025 Gyeonggi Agriculture, Agricultural & Maritime Administration Director General Song Yoo-myeon said, “While the average annual income of a farm family in Gyeonggi Province is KRW 39 million, the debt amounts to approximately KRW 45 million.” He announced, “We will change the current agricultural paradigm, which had focused on productivity and competitiveness, into one that enables sustainable growth while focusing on the consumer.”

According to this announcement, Gyeonggi Province will develop specialized agricultural belts, including: a unified agricultural belt in which apples, ginseng and the genetic resources of the DMZ are cultivated; a green garden belt focusing on Gyeonggi rice; a life industrial belt focusing on the Han River watershed: a maritime and fisheries belt encompassing the west coast of the province; and an urban agricultural belt focusing on urban districts.

For this purpose, Gyeonggi Province will organize subcommittees by belt in which academic representatives, experts, consumers and producers participate. Following a launching ceremony in March and discussions in May, the agricultural vision of the province is scheduled to be announced in August.

With regard to this, Park Young-beom, president of a local agriculture network cooperative, advised, “The agriculture of Gyeonggi Province, unlike that of the provinces of Jeonnam or Jeonbuk, should transition from a view of food and food plans for 10,000,000 residents in capital areas to a view that integrates local food, customer systemization, a return to farming or home village, and living space.”

Gyeonggi Agriculture Promotional Foundation Representative Director Choi Hyung-geun said, “The political aim of agriculture is changing from farmer to citizen, and the keywords of such political measures are changing into convergence and social economy.” He added, “We will develop a food business platform by analyzing the big data of agriculture and forestry, which pertains to school meals for 1,000 schools and 1 million students in the province.”

Kim Jong-pil, head of the Gyeonggi 4-H Supporters’ Association, asked for provincial help, saying, “Market differentiation is difficult even if the quality-assuring governor’s G-mark is achieved, so a differentiated price policy is needed. If farmers can receive appropriate prices and production costs are ensured, agriculture will develop naturally.”

Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Ki-woo advised, “The agricultural vision of Gyeonggi Province is important, but the political messages conveyed to farmers experiencing difficulties due to FTAs are also important.”

Gyeonggi Development Research Center Director Lim Hae-gyu suggested, “Farming villages are experiencing difficulties due to foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza. Planning and systems for safe farming villages are needed.”

Regarding the suggestions of participants, Governor Nam said, “All convergence ideas should be introduced to agricultural policy.” He added, “For the vitalization of social companies related to agriculture, financial support measures should be considered. And political measures for agriculture should be included also in the iBank.”

Governor Nam continued, “This range of opinions discussed in this forum regarding preparation for unification, medical aid for North Korea, and the agricultural vision of Gyeonggi Province shall be integrated in provincial administration.” He added, “The new policies should be pursued in close consultation with the provincial assembly from the stage of discussion.”

◇ The agricultural vision of Gyeonggi Province was also discussed at the forum that day. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Jae-hoon