Jemulpo-gu District (Mayor Kim Chan-jin) in Incheon has launched an all-out campaign to publicize the crisis facing the local steel industry and secure designation as a "preemptive response zone for industrial crisis in the steel sector." At an on-site inspection related to the designation held on the 19th, the district explained in detail the difficulties confronting the steel industry and formally requested the designation.
 [The Korean Today] Briefing on on-site inspection for designation as preemptive response zone for industrial crisis in steel sector © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
The on-site inspection team was made up of officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, relevant government agencies and private-sector members. The team visited the Incheon plants of Hyundai Steel and Dongkuk Steel, the region's leading steel companies, in turn, examining production facilities firsthand and hearing about the companies' management conditions and difficulties on the ground.
After the site visits, a briefing session was held at the Songnim office building of the Jemulpo-gu District Office. At the session, attended by about 30 people including the inspection team and officials from Incheon City, Jemulpo-gu District and related organizations, the district described the current state of the steel industry and its impact on the local economy, and conveyed why designation as a preemptive response zone is necessary.
Ahead of the inspection, the district had continued its efforts to respond to the crisis. It held a meeting with the steel industry to gather opinions from the field and temporarily increased the interest subsidy rate on special loan guarantees for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners. It also conducted a districtwide signature campaign to build consensus in the community on the need for designation.
"The steel industry is a key industry that supports the local economy and employment," Mayor Kim Chan-jin said. "We will do our best to secure designation as a preemptive response zone for industrial crisis and to restore the competitiveness of the steel industry by working closely with Incheon City and related agencies."
Based on the results of this on-site inspection, the district plans to actively cooperate in the upcoming government review process and continue follow-up measures to overcome the crisis facing the local steel industry. As the steel industry is the foundation of the local economy and jobs, attention is focused on how the outcome of the government review will affect local industrial sites and employment stability.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
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