Will the ‘Haeundae Unchon Marina’ Project Gain Momentum This Time?

Sammi Consortium Submits Business Plan to Government
Stalled for 3 Years Amid Opposition Over 'Environmental Destruction'
Growing Public Support to Revive Economy and Restore Marine Capital Status

Plan for the construction of a marina around Dongbaekseom Island, Haeundae, Busan.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A project to build a large-scale marine sports resort complex around Dongbaekseom Island in Haeundae, Busan is being actively promoted.

The Sammi Consortium, the preferred negotiator for the Haeundae hub-type Unchon Marina project, recently submitted the marina business plan to the government, accelerating the project’s progress.

On the 21st, the project passed the opinion procedure of the Haeundae District Council, and on the 23rd, a residents’ briefing session was held at the Haeundae District Complex Cultural Center. Citizens’ voices yearning for a new history to overcome the local economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and other factors are growing, creating a favorable atmosphere for the project’s promotion.

Previously, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries signed implementation agreements in 2016 with Changwon City and the Sammi Consortium for the ‘Changwon Myeongdong Marina Port Development Project’ and the ‘Busan Unchon Marina Port Development Project,’ respectively.

Subsequently, in December 2017, the government held the ‘1st National Tourism Strategy Meeting’ chaired by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, where related ministries jointly finalized and announced the ‘Basic Plan for Tourism Promotion.’

According to this plan, the government intended to establish and announce the ‘Busan Haeundae Hub-type Marina Port Development Project’ plan in the second half of 2018 and to commence full-scale construction in 2019 through securing national funds.

Busan City also announced plans for the Haeundae hub marina port, including converting old closed military facilities into waterfront spaces, improving odors and water quality around Unchon Port, ensuring the life and safety of local residents, preventing reckless development that destroys the natural environment, revitalizing the local economy, and creating new jobs.

Accordingly, the Sammi Consortium took steps to formulate the business plan and promote the project, but three years after the government announcement, the project has been delayed due to controversies over preferential treatment and opposition to the development of Unchon Port, citing environmental destruction.

The Sammi side reflected residents’ opinions and underwent administrative procedures such as strategic environmental impact assessments and maritime traffic safety diagnoses, and submitted the business plan to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in December last year.

Going forward, according to relevant legal procedures, they plan to carry out administrative processes such as traffic impact assessments and cultural heritage alteration reviews, and conduct local resident opinion gathering and public hearings.

A representative of the Sammi Consortium said, “The Unchon Marina project will be promoted without reckless development that damages the natural scenery of Dongbaekseom, Busan’s top tourist attraction. We have already significantly reduced the project scale in the strategic environmental assessment and will form a promotion consultative body consisting of local residents and experts to reflect their opinions.”

He added, “We plan to make the breakwater a marine-friendly healing space frequently visited by citizens with three functions: disaster prevention, seawater exchange, and waterfront space, so that it serves the public interest.”

Regarding marina projects, as global projects centered on marina ports have recently gained momentum, the market size reaches about 50 to 60 billion dollars annually. Among approximately 23,000 marina ports worldwide, Japan has 570, China 89, while Korea has only 33.

The Unchon Marina project has not been able to accelerate despite high expectations, raising concerns. Marine experts point out that although Busan claims to be a ‘marine capital,’ it fails to properly utilize the advantages and infrastructure of a marine city facing the sea.

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