Yoo Gi-sang, Gochang County Governor, "Leap Forward as a Logistics and Tourism Hub in the Southwestern Coast"

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jae-gil] Yoo Gi-sang, former governor of Gochang County, Jeonbuk, stated on the 29th, “With the confirmation of the Noeul Bridge as a national project, the county now has the foundation to grow as a logistics and tourism hub in the southwestern coastal area.”

Regarding the inclusion of ‘Noeul Bridge (Gochang-Buan, marine bridge construction)’ in the ‘5th Five-Year Plan for National and Local Roads’ confirmed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport the day before, Governor Yoo said, “The confirmation of the Noeul Bridge construction is a great achievement made possible by the residents who supported us with their earnest will and wishes for 30 years,” and added, “I deeply thank the residents who have sent unwavering trust and support despite 30 years of challenges.”

He continued, “I also express my gratitude to former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, National Assembly members Jung Woon-cheon and Yoon Joon-byung, as well as political circles, Jeonbuk Province, and officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport,” and added, “Especially, even in times of crisis, thanks to the united efforts of the Buan County Governor, the chairpersons of the Gochang and Buan County Councils, and the residents and social organizations of both regions, we were able to overcome the critical moments.”

Governor Yoo had promised the success of Noeul Bridge when he took office three years ago.

He changed the name from the existing Buchang Bridge to Noeul Bridge and devised a new strategy. He added tourism and logistics functions to the vehicle traffic aspect, which was not very economically viable.

In particular, to secure the insufficient economic feasibility, he strategically responded by minimizing construction costs through low-cost construction methods and securing linked demand to improve economic feasibility.

Moreover, after persistently visiting and persuading the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in 2019, he achieved the inclusion of major national road constructions such as Buan and Gochang on National Road No. 77 in the upper-level plan, the ‘5th Comprehensive National Territorial Plan,’ as part of ‘expanding global public infrastructure to leap forward as an exchange hub in the Pan-Huanhai region.’

Especially, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s national and local road plan included not only the Noeul Bridge (total project cost 340 billion KRW) but also a facility improvement project for the 5.8 km section of ‘Gochang Sangha-Haeri’ (total project cost approximately 40.9 billion KRW), marking a remarkable achievement.

Governor Yoo expressed, “Once the Noeul Bridge is constructed, Gochang will expand its status and role as a center of a super-regional tourism zone connecting Taean Peninsula in Chungnam, Saemangeum, Buan Byeonsan Peninsula National Park, and Muan and Mokpo in Jeonnam,” and added, “It will facilitate smooth distribution of Manila clams and raft-cultured seaweed, which account for 50% of domestic production, and Dongho and Gushipo beaches will attract visitors, revitalizing accommodations and restaurants.”

He also said, “We will accelerate securing national budget for early commencement of the project,” and “We will continuously propose to Jeonbuk Province and political circles to change to a turnkey method of integrated design and construction contracting for harmony with the surrounding environment, design, cost reduction, and prompt progress.”

Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jae-gil gjg7070@asiae.co.kr

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