Gwangju Innovation Promotion Committee Proposes Prompt Normalization of Eodeungsan Tourist Complex

Conditions Eased to Encourage Diverse Creative Revenue Models in the Private Sector

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Innovation Promotion Committee, directly under the Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, held its 16th plenary meeting on the 25th at the city hall small conference room, gathering opinions from committee members regarding the Eodeungsan Tourism Complex Development Project and proposed the prompt normalization of the project to Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 26th.

This proposal is the 17th recommendation or proposal following the Innovation Promotion Committee’s establishment as an advisory body directly under the mayor on November 27, 2018, and its previous recommendations on public institution innovation, revitalization of the municipal arts troupe, establishment of the Gwangju welfare model, and the recent formation of the post-COVID-19 economic and social countermeasures committee.

The ‘Eodeungsan Tourism Complex Development Project’ aims to transform the Eodeungsan area, which has been devastated for 45 years as a military artillery range, into a recreational area, golf course, and scenic green space. The project has been promoted since 2005 through a public-private partnership bidding process.

However, except for the golf course, the development of public-oriented recreational areas has not progressed for over 14 years due to enormous development costs and lack of profitability.

Accordingly, the Innovation Promotion Committee proposed the prompt normalization of the ‘Eodeungsan Tourism Complex Development Project’ to Gwangju City.

Specifically, it recommended first clearly setting the direction of the ‘Eodeungsan Tourism Complex Development Project’ as an attractive investment destination to encourage participation from many private companies and the proposal of various creative profit-generating models.

However, it also suggested securing minimum public interest measures such as the establishment of tourism accommodation facilities linked with the Kim Dae-jung International Convention Complex District, presenting competitive content as a regional tourism hub, and operating profit social return programs (regional coexistence plans, commercial district impact assessments).

Furthermore, to alleviate and resolve social conflicts arising from the ‘Eodeungsan Tourism Complex Development Project,’ it recommended collecting and reflecting opinions from civic groups, the city council, expert groups, and stakeholders before setting the project direction.

The Innovation Promotion Committee continuously discovers innovation tasks across city administration, welfare, culture and arts, economy and industry, and after expert consultation, consistently recommends and proposes innovations to Gwangju City. It also ensures these are reflected in city administration through management tools such as the city administration innovation recommendation and proposal implementation status card system.

Chairman Joo Jeong-min stated, “Considering the importance of the ‘Eodeungsan Tourism Complex Development Project’ for revitalizing tourism in Gwangju and Jeonnam, active administration should be undertaken to ensure it becomes a creative profit-generating model for the private sector alongside public interest for its prompt normalization. In the rapidly changing economic and social environment post-COVID-19, we will fulfill our given roles together with the Innovation Promotion Committee members so that Gwangju City can respond proactively.”

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