Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province said Thursday it will pursue construction of a new provincial headquarters in a cost-efficient manner that minimizes the financial burden on residents.
The province also appointed a new head of its headquarters relocation task force Thursday, filling a section chief-level post that had been vacant for more than a month following the regular personnel reshuffle in July.
The commitment to easing the residents' burden means the province will proceed with a smaller construction budget than originally planned, making more efficient use of available space.
Gov. Woo Sang-ho had previously signaled the same position in an interview, saying the new headquarters project would be scaled back with fiscal soundness and residents' livelihoods in mind.
The province said it will take a comprehensive look at the project's scope, the appropriateness of the process and ways to minimize the fiscal burden, with the aim of delivering a project that residents can support.
"We will ensure the new headquarters project continues in a stable manner under the new director, while conducting thorough reviews and making necessary improvements — always putting the burden on residents first," a provincial official said.
The newly appointed director, Park Hyeong-cheol, joined the provincial civil service in 1997 and is regarded as an architecture expert, having gained broad practical experience across key departments including the Olympic organizing committee and the architecture division.
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