Governor Kim Young-rok, "Yeosu as a Leading Hub City in the Namhaean Era"

Jeonnam Province Provides 1.4 Trillion Won in National and Provincial Funding Over the Past 4 Years for International Events and Industrial Complex Revitalization

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] Jeollanam-do is fostering Yeosu, South Korea’s number one marine tourism and resort city and the heart of the petrochemical industry, as a key city leading national balanced development and the South Coast era, centered on the dual pillars of tourism and industry.

To this end, Jeonnam Province is providing support in various fields such as the development of the Gyeongdo Marine Tourism Complex, hosting the 33rd United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties, supporting the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, the large-scale renovation project of the Gwangyang Bay industrial complex, the renewal of Nakpo Pier, expansion of the Yeosu New Port cruise pier, construction of the Jeolla Line high-speed railway, and the Yeosu-Namhae undersea tunnel construction.

In the past four years up to this year, national and provincial government funding has reached 1.4824 trillion won for more than 30 projects.

Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeonnam plans to actively support strengthening Yeosu’s position as an international marine tourism city and further advancing the petrochemical industry of the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, so that tourism and industry together will lead South Korea’s future and embark on a vigorous voyage.

Jeonnam Province is supporting Yeosu, which attracted global attention by successfully hosting the 2010 Yeosu World Expo, to emerge as South Korea’s number one marine tourism and resort city by promoting various tourism development projects including the Gyeongdo Marine Tourism Complex development and attracting international events.

To further activate Yeosu’s tourism industry, which already attracts 13 million tourists annually, a private investment of 1.5 trillion won is being attracted to develop the Gyeongdo Marine Tourism Complex.

By 2029, a complex marine resort including hotels, marinas, and theme parks will be developed.

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, the world’s first event where island nations gather to create a blueprint for future sustainable island development and present a new paradigm for international island marine tourism and resort cities, will be supported for successful hosting.

With an investment of 24 billion won, exhibition halls, academic and convention events, and experience programs will be operated to promote the charm and value of Korean islands and secure new growth engines.

Full efforts are also being made to attract the 33rd UNFCCC Conference of the Parties to the South Coast and South Central region. Jointly hosting with Gyeongnam Province is expected to contribute to harmony between Yeongnam and Honam regions as well as regional balanced development.

In addition, in September, the Yeosu Youth Marine Education Center, specialized for youth, was opened nationwide for the first time, and plans are underway to continuously prepare and promote optimal measures for post-use of the Yeosu World Expo site, including starting construction of the National Yeosu Marine Meteorological Science Museum within the year.

To enhance accessibility, the Jeolla Line high-speed railway has been included in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan, reducing travel time from Seoul to 2 hours and 7 minutes, and electrification of the Gyeongjeon Line will shorten travel time to Busan to 2 hours and 24 minutes. The Yeosu-Namhae undersea tunnel also passed the preliminary feasibility study after 23 years and is expected to become a symbol of harmony between Yeongnam and Honam regions.

Governor Kim Young-rok said, “Yeosu is an international marine tourism and resort city attracting more than 13 million tourists annually, where the beautiful archipelago and Hallyeohaesang National Park coexist, and it is the center of the petrochemical industry that has led South Korea’s economic development. We will actively support Yeosu to stand tall as a core city leading national balanced development and the South Coast era, based on the two development axes of tourism and industry.”

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.