Jeonnam Province to Create 'Premium Theme Forests' in Southwest Coastal Island Areas

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province is creating a "premium theme forest" in the island areas of the southwestern coast.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 13th, in connection with the new growth tourism belt of the southern coast, they plan to establish a representative premium theme forest of the blue economy by restoring and creating subtropical forests that highlight the local, cultural, and historical characteristics of each island.

Jeonnam holds a comparative advantage asset with the largest number of islands in the country, totaling 2,165 islands (out of 3,352 nationwide, 64.5%). With the "Islands You Want to Visit" campaign and the opening of the Cheonsa Bridge, it is now time to create themed island forests that meet the increasing demand for island tourism.

To this end, a comprehensive plan for the ecological restoration project of island forests on the southwestern coast has been established. Selected as a new national treasury project this year, a total of 375 billion KRW will be invested by 2029.

The Korea Forest Service decided to support this project following Jeonnam Province’s survey of island areas and its own conceptual study centered on the southwestern sea, presenting a blueprint for island forest restoration.

The province plans to restore and create three types of theme forests centered on 63 island sites across 16 cities and counties, from Yeonggwang on the west coast to Gwangyang on the south coast.

First, 35 flower islands with beautiful flowers blooming all year round will be created, focusing on the archipelago area including Yeonggwang County, Hampyeong County, Muan County, Mokpo City, Sinan County, Jindo County, and Wando County.

As a representative leading project, 35 billion KRW is being invested in creating the Peace Forest on Haedo Island in Sinan County, promoting it as a symbol forest of peace in Northeast Asia.

In the southern cultural zone including Yeongam County, Gangjin County, Haenam County, Jangheung County, and Boseong County, 14 island forests incorporating historical, cultural, and humanities content will be restored and linked with local tourism resources.

In the marine leisure zone including Yeosu City, Goheung County, and Gwangyang City, 14 marine sports island forests connecting islands will be created to provide various recreational activities.

In particular, with 4.3 billion KRW secured this year, the Korea Forest Service, Jeonnam Province, and Sinan County are jointly researching and promoting island forest restoration around Anjwa Island and Jaeun Island in Sinan County.

To ensure smooth project implementation, feasibility evaluations are being conducted to discover and investigate the most suitable forest models for Jeonnam’s island areas, and preparations such as administrative procedures are being accelerated for continuous project progress.

Park Hyunsik, head of Jeonnam Province’s Eastern Regional Headquarters, said, “We will restore and newly create island forests damaged and neglected due to pests, typhoons, and other causes, providing beautiful living spaces for island residents and fulfilling their function as windbreak forests. We will do our best to create theme forests that harmonize with the unique culture and humanities resources of the islands, establishing them as representative marine scenic forests of the blue economy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.