Ha Dong-gun Mayor Ha Seung-chul: Global Market Expansion and Administrative Innovation

■ “From Hadong to the World” – Building a Global Distribution Network for Agricultural Products

Mayor Ha Seung-chul of Hadong County is pursuing entry into North and South American markets, including the United States and Mexico, with the goal of globalizing local agricultural products. To this end, he is collaborating with Korean markets in Atlanta (Zion Market, Woo Lae Oak Mall) to establish dedicated sales corners for Hadong agricultural products, while also pushing for bold administrative reforms.

■ Hadong Green Tea, Leading the Global Market

Although Hadong is a typical rural area where agriculture accounts for 70% of the economy, exports have grown rapidly since Mayor Ha took office, with agricultural exports surpassing $20 million last year. Notably, Hadong green tea is being supplied to Starbucks in the United States in powder form, and discussions are underway for in-flight meal cooperation with Aeromexico, Mexico’s largest airline. In Mexico City, the “Hadong Tea Room No. 1” has been opened, providing local consumers with the opportunity to directly experience Hadong’s green tea culture.

■ From Agriculture to Healing Tourism – Hadong’s Transition to the Wellness Industry

Hadong is the birthplace of traditional Korean tea culture and hosts the annual “Hadong Wild Tea Culture Festival” in May. Mayor Ha is developing this festival into a “farm-to-table” experiential tourism event, similar to French winery tours. His goal is to grow Hadong into a global healing tourism hub by creating a “Tea Healing Marine Complex” connecting Jirisan Mountain, Seomjin River, and the South Sea.

■ “Compact Attractive City” Project Leading Regional Innovation

Mayor Ha is implementing the “Compact Attractive City” project, realizing an urban plan that guarantees accessibility to education, healthcare, and public services within 15 minutes. Additionally, he achieved financial innovation by repaying 750 billion won in local bonds in just eight months and securing 1.05 trillion won through government support projects.

■ Hadong’s Future Depends on Global Expansion

To address population decline, policies such as support for returning farmers and rural migrants, and housing subsidies were introduced, resulting in 3,200 new residents over two years. Mayor Ha emphasized, “Expanding the Hadong brand globally based on green tea is key to sustainable development,” adding, “I will make Hadong a city that the whole world wants to visit.”

*Original Article:

[K-People] Hadong County Mayor Ha Sung-cheol: Expanding to Global Markets – 애틀랜타 뉴스 미국 정보 Atlanta K