[Interview] Shin Dongheon, Mayor of Gwangju City, "Proud of Being the Home of Joseon Royal Porcelain"

Creating 'Gwangju Neoreun-gil' Connecting 121km from Namhansanseong to Cheonjinam
Expecting Tourism Economic Vitality by Increasing Added Value of Ceramic Mecca City

Shin Dongheon, Mayor of Gwangju City

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, which holds cultural heritage such as Namhansanseong Fortress and Joseon white porcelain kiln sites, is a city with great potential for growth in the ceramic culture industry.

Recently, the 'Gyeonggi-do Ceramic Culture Industry Promotion Ordinance' was passed by the Gyeonggi-do Provincial Assembly, providing a basis for promoting tourism programs linked to ceramics.

In an interview with this paper, Shin Dong-heon, mayor of Gwangju, cited the branch of the Joseon Dynasty government-operated pottery manufacturing office, 'Saongwon (司饔院),' as a competitive advantage to enhance Gwangju's economic vitality and added value based on ceramic culture.

He emphasized that Gwangju is the hometown of Joseon royal white porcelain and proudly stated, "As a ceramic mecca, potters still pour their soul into their works to continue the old fame."

Bunwon Baekja Museum [Gwangju City]

Mayor Shin's plan is to link Gwangju's representative festivals such as the 'Namhansanseong Cultural Festival,' 'Royal Porcelain Festival,' and 'Toechon Tomato Festival' with new historical content that combines historical facts and stories.

He expressed confidence, saying, "We will differentiate ourselves from Yeoju and Icheon through a unique and citizen-participatory Gwangju Royal Porcelain Festival."

The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site 'Namhansanseong,' the birthplace of the Korean Catholic Church 'Cheonjinam,' the home of independence activist 'Shin Ik-hee,' and 'Nanum House' have established themselves as historical and cultural landscape resources encompassing ancient Korean history and modern history in well-preserved environments.

In addition, large-scale tourism projects combining history, culture, and environmental content are underway, including Paldang Water Mist Park Herb Island & Fair Road, natural recreation forests, and maintenance of white porcelain kiln sites, which are the best ecological tourism spots in the metropolitan area.

The Origin of the Korean Catholic Church, Cheonjinam [Gwangju City]

The city is especially accelerating the creation of the 'Gwangju Neoreun-gil,' a total 121 km trail connecting Namhansanseong to Cheonjinam.

Mayor Shin stated, "We are focusing on developing tourism resources such as the trail project connecting Namhansanseong to Cheonjinam and the Paldang Dulle-gil, and are also in discussions to attract private investment for creating a stay-type tourist destination."

He added, "In preparation for the 'with COVID' era, we plan to discover 'my own travel destination' content with unique stories that satisfy all visitors."

Leveraging its geographical advantage close to Seoul and linking key tourism elements such as accommodation, guidance systems, food, and shopping, preparations are also underway to expand Hallyu tourism among foreigners.

Gwangju Royal Ceramics Festival [Gwangju City]

Mayor Shin said, "Gwangju is a rare city for day trips in the metropolitan area," and added, "We will transform the tourist information center into a space that promotes Gwangju's brand and value."

Since the launch of the Cultural Foundation last December, the city has transferred performance, exhibition, and education projects, which were mainly promoted based on Namhansanseong Art Hall, and has been evaluated as having grown both quantitatively and qualitatively.

The biggest change is the expansion of functions to oversee cultural and artistic projects such as policy and content development.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has promoted over 80 planned projects annually (both online and offline), attracting major artists such as Sumi Jo, Baek Gun-woo, and the National Opera Company, receiving great public response.

Gwangju Cultural Foundation Inauguration Ceremony [Gwangju City]

Various specialized projects such as youth music competitions, Heo Nanseolheon Cultural Festival, and mobile cinemas are also planned.

Mayor Shin revealed plans to develop brand content to promote Gwangju, saying, "The Cultural Foundation has the task of giving the city of 'Gwangju' a unique cultural color through the city's history and cultural heritage."

He also announced key projects to revitalize small business owners and local shopping districts during the remaining term of the 7th local government.

He said, "We will boost the 'Local Economy Care Movement' and significantly expand the issuance of local currency to 140 billion won."

Toechon Tomato Festival [Gwangju City]

He added, "We will swiftly implement demand-tailored support projects to revive the Gwangju economy and rekindle the embers of the stagnant livelihood economy."

Mayor Shin also presented plans to accelerate the timeline for creating a self-sufficient economy city of 500,000 by strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.

He stated, "With the completion of the first phase of land development in the Gwangju-Gonjiam station area scheduled between the end of this year and the first half of next year, we will accelerate attracting high-tech industries such as the creation of a youth innovation town and the supply of premium residential sites."

Paldang Water Mist Park [Gwangju-si]

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