[Report] "It's a region with nothing but tourism..." Chuncheon, angered by sudden reconsideration of Han-Chung Cultural Town

Over 600,000 Agree on Last Month's 'Withdraw Chinatown' Cheong Petition
Citizens Complain, "It's a Gangwon-do Project, Outsiders Interfering Cause Trouble"
Choi Moon-soon, Gangwon-do Governor, Actively Clarifies, "Not Chinatown but Tourist Site"
As Criticism Spreads Nationwide, Expected to "Proceed with Cancellation"

Street view of Chuncheon city, Gangwon Province on the 28th. / Photo by Juhyung Lim skepped@

[Chuncheon=Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "It's just absurd. Why is everyone suddenly making such a fuss?"

On the afternoon of the 28th at the underground shopping mall in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Mr. Choi, in his 50s, who was sitting in a resting area near the entrance, expressed confusion when asked about the public criticism surrounding the so-called 'Chinatown' controversy related to the 'Gangwon Province Korea-China Cultural Town' development plan. Mr. Choi said, "I don't exactly know what the project is. I only found out belatedly because the media kept talking about it," adding, "Honestly, I don't understand why people from other regions are making a fuss about a tourism project that Gangwon Province is undertaking."

Once a bustling downtown area representing Chuncheon, the underground shopping mall was quiet and deserted that day. A few empty shops, seemingly up for sale, were also noticeable. Mr. Choi explained, "It was already a recession, but since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chuncheon's self-employed business owners have been going through even tougher times."

Mr. Choi, a native of Chuncheon, identified "tourism and public servants" as the "core jobs" in Gangwon Province. He explained that public servants employed by local city halls and community centers, along with self-employed businesses dependent on tourism income, are lifelines for the local working-class economy. He asserted, "Gangwon Province is the poorest region in the country and doesn't have any substantial industries. That's why they are putting their lives on the line to create tourist attractions."

Underground shopping mall near Chuncheon City Hall. A store is vacant. / Photo by Juhyung Lim skepped@

Recently, the Korea-China Cultural Town development project, which Gangwon Province was promoting in Chuncheon, Hongcheon, and surrounding areas, was effectively scrapped amid strong public backlash. The project operator, Kolon Global, stated in an official statement, "We recognize that it will be impossible to proceed with the project." Earlier, the project became a social issue after a Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) petition urging the cancellation of the development received over 600,000 signatures.

Previously, in 2019, Gangwon Province signed a business agreement with Chinese state-run media such as the People's Daily and People.cn to develop a Korea-China complex cultural town in the Lavie Belle tourist complex in Chuncheon and Hongcheon. If realized, the project would have been ten times the size of Incheon Chinatown, aimed at revitalizing the domestic tourism industry.

However, amid the recent controversy over China's so-called 'Cultural Northeast Project' and rising anti-China sentiment, criticism emerged questioning the necessity of creating a large-scale tourist site promoting Chinese culture.

The 'Gangwon Korea-China Cultural Town' development project, which was planned to be established in areas including Chuncheon and Hongcheon, is now undergoing a complete review due to strong public opposition. / Photo by Im Ju-hyung skepped@

On the 29th of last month, a petition titled "Please withdraw the construction of Gangwon Province Chinatown" was posted on the national petition board. The petitioner criticized, "Even if exchange and cooperation are important in Korea-China relations, this is an incomprehensible idea," and said, "I don't understand why we have to create a little China in South Korea. This is South Korea, so why should we provide a pretext for experiencing Chinese culture on our land? I firmly oppose the construction of Chinatown."

This petition became a hot topic, surpassing 610,000 signatures as of the 20th, more than three times the 200,000 signatures required for an official Blue House response.

At the time, Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon appeared on a radio broadcast to clarify, stating, "This is not a Chinatown but a theme park-type tourist project promoting Korean culture," but the opposition did not subside easily. Some netizens posted petitions calling for Governor Choi's resignation, garnering tens of thousands of signatures.

At a rally held at Gangwon Provincial Office in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, members of conservative groups waved the Taegeukgi and the U.S. flag while shouting slogans, demanding the cancellation of the Gangwon Chinatown construction and the resignation of Governor Choi Moon-soon. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 22nd, conservative groups such as the Chuncheon Citizens' Freedom Union and the Gangwon Chinatown Opposition Provincial Union held a press conference in front of the Gangwon Provincial Office, directing harsh criticism at Governor Choi. These groups declared, "The residents firmly oppose the establishment of the Korea-China Cultural Town, which would become a foothold for the Chinese Communist Party's Northeast Project and cultural invasion," and urged, "Governor Choi must immediately stop this treasonous act that mocks the residents and resign at once."

Local Chuncheon residents responded with discomfort or found it hard to understand these movements. While they acknowledged the recent intensification of anti-China sentiment and heightened vigilance toward China, they expressed displeasure at outsiders interfering in the residents' livelihood issues.

A 40-year-old caf? owner, Mr. A, said, "I only recently found out about it, but honestly, I don't understand it. It's not even a Chinatown; it's literally a theme park," and pointed out, "Chinese tourists come in large numbers to famous places like Myeongdong in Seoul or Jeju Island. I don't understand why Gangwon Province shouldn't have it."

A 50-year-old restaurant owner in a nearby shopping area, Mr. B, said, "It's honestly absurd that outsiders who have never actually lived in Gangwon Province are taking an interest in our local affairs," adding, "When relics were discovered during the 'Legoland' project, many outsiders came to oppose it. They seem very interested in cultural heritage and China but not so much in the residents of the same country."

A 20-something office worker living in Chuncheon, Mr. C, expressed, "As the saying goes, what else would Gangwon Province live on if not tourism?" He revealed his feelings, saying, "The residents are trying to come up with ideas and make efforts to realize them. (The opposition petition movement) is honestly unpleasant." He also speculated, "Since the project operator announced a full review, we should consider it effectively scrapped or off the table."

On the 27th, Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Gangwon Province, who celebrated his 10th anniversary in office, held a press conference in the briefing room of the Gangwon Provincial Government Office and shared his reflections. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the 26th, Kolon conveyed through Gangwon Province its intention to review the project plan. According to a statement partially disclosed by Gangwon Province, Kolon said, "The company recognizes that it will no longer be possible to proceed with the Korea-China Cultural Town project," and added, "Even if it means bearing significant losses in time and costs, we will conduct a full review of the project plan."

They continued, "We envisioned a pure theme-type tourist complex based on traditional and modern cultural elements of Korea and China. This is not a Chinatown development project," but also added, "Regardless of the facts, we could not ignore the feelings of the citizens who participated in the national petition."

In this regard, Governor Choi emphasized the need to "expand cultural exchanges to reduce hatred between countries." At a press conference marking his 10th anniversary in office held at the Gangwon Provincial Office on the 27th, Governor Choi stated, "Because life has become somewhat difficult due to COVID-19 and other factors, feelings of hatred and anger are spreading," and added, "This manifests as anti-China and anti-Japan sentiments."

He further emphasized, "We have conducted many projects to expand cultural exchanges not only with China but also with Japan, the United States, and others," and said, "We must expand cultural exchanges to reduce hatred."

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