Gyeongsangbuk-do Gov. Lee Cheol-woo announces “E.A.S.T Plan” on the green economy on the East Coast at a press briefing at Gyeongsangbuk-do Dongbu Building on March 3. (Photos: Gyeongsangbuk-do provincial govt.)

Gyeongsangbuk-do Gov. Lee Cheol-woo has set the province’s new task at “a great shift into the green economy on the East Coast.” Gov. Lee made the remarks at a press briefing at Gyeongsangbuk-do Dongbu Building on March 3.

Gov. Lee, suggesting strategies to lead regional development, stressed the significance of the East Coast in the shift to the green economy.

Gov. Lee said, “Humanity is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic on top of a climate change crisis in the new normal era. Economically, a shift into the digital economy, the clean energy and the bio economy, which has been triggered by the 4th Industrial Revolution, is taking place at once and comprehensively.”

Gyeongsangbuk-do sees that these trends may be coupled with a green economy based on carbon neutrality. The province will implement the “E.A.S.T. Plan,” consisting of 22 major tasks in four sectors – green energy, sea-related advancements, fisheries and marine tourism.

Gov. Lee Calls for Construction of Integrated New Airport in Daegu-Gyeongbuk Area

Gov. Lee demanded that the construction of an integrated new airport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area be pushed ahead without interruption.

He said it should happen regardless of the construction of an airport on Gadeok Island in Busan, and the construction of the Seo-Daegu-Euiseong line, a Seo-Daegu-Euiseong railway leading to the planned airport should be reflected in the national railway plan.

He made the proposal while meeting with Minister Byeon Chang-heum of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT).

Gov. Lee cited The Daegu-Gyeongbuk railway as an infrastructure designed to spread transportation burden of the Gyeongbu (Seoul-Busan) line and the successful implement of the airport project.

Integration of Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administration

Gov. Lee launched a public debate process on the integration of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk administration.

A committee on the public debate on the integration of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk administration released a master plan on March 2. Gov. Lee will begin efforts to hear public opinions on the issue.

Gyeongsangbuk-do said starting with Gyeongsan City on March 10, Gov. Lee will make a series of inspection tour to hear about the issue – a meeting with city and counties every week.

Gov. Lee and Yeongcheon city residents pose for a group photo session after they hold a meeting to help them overcome hardships, caused by COVID-19 at Gyeongju City Hall on March 3. It took place under the provincial government’s “New Wind, Happiness Bus” field meeting program.

Gov. Lee Promises Redevelopment of Bomun Tourism Complex

Gov. Lee promised to provide support to the tourism industry in the Gyeongju area, buffeted by COVID-19, and redevelop the Bomun Tourism Complex.

He made the promise while holding a meeting with residents at Gyeongju City Hall on March 17.

It was the third under the “New Wind, Happiness Bus” field meeting program, following ones in Yeongcheon and Gyeongsan.