Gangwon-do Begins Construction of 'Untan Godo (運炭高道)', a Transversal Road Connecting Abandoned Mining Towns

Gangwon-do+Taebaek·Samcheok·Yeongwol·Jeongseon, Regional Balanced New Deal
Altitude 700~1300m Godeo (高道) ‥ Completion in 2022

Uncheon Pass Connecting Abandoned Mining Town [Provided by Gangwon Province]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is set to actively promote the project to create the "Abandoned Mine Area Walking Trail (Untan Godo·運炭高道)," which connects four abandoned mine cities within the province (Taebaek, Samcheok, Yeongwol, Jeongseon) into a single route.

According to the province on the 9th, a kickoff briefing for the "Basic and Detailed Design Service for the Abandoned Mine Area Walking Trail Project" was held the previous day (8th) at the Gangwon Research Institute, attended by more than 20 people including public officials from the four cities and counties in the abandoned mine area and related service contractors.

The creation of the "Abandoned Mine Area Walking Trail (Untan Godo)" is a project with a budget of 3.6 billion KRW, carried out in two phases. It aims to preserve the natural paths as much as possible by connecting existing trails that reflect the region’s art, history, and culture, linking villages, people, and resources, and incorporating preferences of local residents and visitors.

The first phase of the project will complete detailed design and various permits by May, start construction in June, and finish by October. Along with the opening, a Human New Deal project will operate an integrated operation center (one location) and three information centers.

Since "Untan Godo" connects the four cities and counties, the province plans to collaborate with tourism elements from these areas and issue an integrated pass with discount policies through partnerships with "GangWon Gift Certificates," "Ildan Sikyeo," and "Minbak App."

Currently, there is a plan under review to connect the east-west cross route of "Untan Godo" with the East Coast tourism axis by linking it to the "Samcheok Osipcheon" section (about 50 km) walking trail.

Previously, at the end of last year, the province decided to name the walking trail "Untan Godo." The name, originally used for the trail in Jeongseon County (meaning "high road for transporting coal"), was expanded to cover the abandoned mine areas of the four cities and counties, reflecting the identity, symbolism, and sentiment of the abandoned mine region.

Additionally, to ensure smooth project progress and mutually beneficial cooperation, on the 21st of the same month, Gangwon Province, the Eastern Regional Forest Service, and the four cities and counties signed a business agreement.

Kim Tae-hoon, Director of the Economic Promotion Bureau, stated, "We plan to actively utilize the industrial heritage and tourism resources of the abandoned mine areas to focus on differentiated and future-oriented tourism projects."

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