'Yeosu-si-Namhae-gun' Market Exchange Work for Win-Win Cooperation

‘Yeosu-Namhae Undersea Tunnel Confirmed’ The First Step Toward Win-Win Cooperation in the Southern Coast Tourism Era

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] On the 26th, Kwon Oh-bong, Mayor of Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, and Jang Chung-nam, County Governor of Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, exchanged their roles for one day, each serving as the head of the other's city/county. They took this opportunity to explore mutual development for Yeosu and Namhae, which have become even closer through the 'Yeosu-Namhae Undersea Tunnel.'

On this day, Mayor Kwon Oh-bong went to Namhae as the county governor, and County Governor Jang Chung-nam went to Yeosu as the mayor, crossing the Namhae Bridge to start their work at each local government office.

As the county governor of Namhae for the day, Mayor Kwon began with his first approval at the county office and received reports on the general status of the county, including major projects such as the 'Namhae County Office New Building Promotion' and the '2022 Year of Visit to Namhae.' He also visited the county council to request organic cooperation between the two cities and counties.

He then visited various departments within the county office to greet the staff, and in the afternoon, he visited Seo-myeon, Namhae County, the planned site for the Namhae Undersea Tunnel, to share progress updates. He also thoroughly inspected major tourist sites such as the Breaker Hills Hotel site and the German Village in Namhae County.

Mayor Kwon Oh-bong of Yeosu said, “The confirmation of the Yeosu-Namhae Undersea Tunnel construction was a result made possible by the passion and efforts of the people from both Yeongnam and Honam regions.” He added, “Through this one-day exchange work, we got to know each other better and sought mutual growth strategies. I expect that the two regions will play a pivotal role in opening a new era of tourism along the southern coast.”

County Governor Jang, who became the mayor of Yeosu for the day, received reports on the general status of the city, the 'Special Act on the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident,' and the status of the '2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.' He also visited the Yeosu City Council and city departments to strengthen camaraderie.

In the afternoon, he visited Shindeok-dong, Yeosu City, the planned site for the Yeosu Undersea Tunnel, toured the site, and visited major tourist attractions in Yeosu such as the Yeosu Youth Marine Education Center, the venue for the Yeosu World Islands Expo, and the 'Forest of Arts' development site on Jangdo Island in Ungcheon.

County Governor Jang Chung-nam of Namhae said, “I am pleased that the emotional distance between the staff has narrowed as much as the physical distance has shortened by the undersea tunnel.” He added, “Let us ensure the smooth completion of the undersea tunnel and open a new era of wide-area tourism along the southern coast.”

Meanwhile, the undersea tunnel connecting Shindeok-dong, Yeosu City, and Seo-myeon, Namhae County, will be 7.3 km long and constructed with a national budget of 682.4 billion KRW by 2029. Once the tunnel under the sea opens, it is expected that 70 million visitors annually will travel between the Yeosu-Suncheon area and the Namhae-Hadong area, greatly contributing to the revitalization of tourism along the southern coast.

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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