Geochang-gun Implements Emergency Measures Against Illegal Parking and Unauthorized Garbage Dumping by Tourists

27,000 Visitors on Weekends to See Y-Shaped Suspension Bridge

A comprehensive countermeasure briefing on the accommodation system of Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land is being held. (Photo by Geochang-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] On the 10th, Geochang County in Gyeongnam held an emergency comprehensive countermeasure briefing session in the county office situation room, chaired by County Governor Gu In-mo, to resolve residents' inconveniences caused by the surge in visitors to the Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land’s ‘Y-shaped Suspension Bridge.’

Since the opening ceremony of the nation’s first ‘Y-shaped Suspension Bridge’ on October 24, the Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land has been attracting over 10,000 tourists daily on average.

Last weekend, 27,000 people visited the Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land to see the ‘Y-shaped Suspension Bridge,’ causing a surge in visitors. This led to severe traffic congestion in the Gajo-myeon area due to a lack of parking spaces and illegal parking.

In response to the increase in visitors, the county has prepared 22 comprehensive countermeasures across 10 sectors to prevent anticipated issues such as illegal parking, unauthorized street vending, and illegal dumping of waste, thereby addressing residents’ inconveniences in advance.

At this briefing, measures were established including securing additional parking lots to alleviate traffic congestion, cracking down on illegal parking, and improving shuttle bus operations; guidance and management of food service businesses to inspect illegal business activities and price gouging targeting visitors; environmental management measures to secure restrooms in parking lots and the Healing Land and to eradicate illegal waste dumping; COVID-19 measures such as visitor temperature checks and fines for not wearing masks; support for cultural performances within the Healing Land, including hosting concerts on the Y-shaped Suspension Bridge; promotion and sales of agricultural and specialty products; placement of promotional booklets and production of promotional videos; establishment of a dedicated team for the Anti-Aging Healing Land; development of travel package products linked with Gajo Golf Course to revitalize the Healing Land; and formulation of long-term plans for the Anti-Aging Healing Land.

Gu In-mo, Governor of Geochang County, stated, “With the establishment of these comprehensive measures, we expect that traffic inconveniences for visitors to the Anti-Aging Healing Land will gradually be resolved. In the long term, we anticipate more visitors to Geochang through the development of stay-type tourism products linked with Geochang Changpowon, Suseungdae, and Gamaksan Anti-Aging Wellness Experience Centers.”

He added, “Geochang County is thoroughly complying with social distancing measures according to each stage to ensure the safety of visitors and residents and is making every effort to prevent COVID-19.”

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