A book launch event for local politician Hwang Guk-yeon’s autobiography, “Hwang Guk-yeon, Connecting Hope,” drew approximately 150 attendees to the second-floor conference hall of the Geumsan Insam Center in Chungcheongnam-do on Monday.
The event, held at 2:00 PM, was presented as more than a simple book release, according to organizers, serving as a forum to diagnose challenges facing Geumsan and explore future development strategies. Attendees included members of the ruling party and local residents.
Hwang, who is a candidate for Geumsan County Governor, authored the autobiography, which details his childhood and life experiences. The book too addresses structural issues impacting Geumsan, including population decline, youth emigration, and limitations within the regional economy. It proposes a framework connecting the ginseng industry, agriculture, welfare, and energy transition as a means to overcome the potential for regional decline.
Yang Seung-jo, a former governor of Chungcheongnam-do, was in attendance, as was Kim Gi-ok, a former member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies. A video message of congratulations was also delivered by Hwang Myeong-sun, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
A talk display featuring Park Han-yeol, head of the Geumsan Content Korea Lab, and actor Son Geon-yeong, was also part of the program. The discussion focused on Hwang’s life, his perspectives, and the potential and challenges facing Geumsan.
Hwang recently announced his candidacy for Geumsan County Governor, outlining plans to designate an area in Geumseong-myeon Haryu-ri as a “fusion tourism special zone” encompassing war history and modern telecommunications culture. This initiative would combine the spirit of loyalty embodied at Chilbok Shrine with the technological assets of a satellite communication station, creating a complex offering educational, experiential, and tourism opportunities. The plan includes spaces dedicated to the history of the Battle of Geumsan during the Imjin War, AR/VR battle experiences, exhibits on modern and space communication, a fusion education center, and an ecological park.
