Jinju City to Transform Aging Buildings Near Jinyangho into Complex Cultural Space

Aerial view of the planned site for the Jinyangho project. [Image source=Jinju City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Jinju City in Gyeongnam announced on the 22nd that it will officially begin construction to create a complex cultural space including a reading cafe and gallery by purchasing old buildings around the former Jinyangho dock.

The building to be remodeled into the 'Jinyangho Reading Cafe' is a one-story building near the lake dock, built in 1971 before the area was designated as a park.

The building to be reborn as a 'small-scale cafe gallery' was also constructed in 1972 as a two-story building in front of the former dock and was previously used as a cafe.

Jinju City has been conducting structural safety inspections and design work to preserve the appearance of the existing buildings, which are about 50 years old, in order to provide visitors with a space and opportunities for various cultural activities along with nostalgic memories.

The building to be reborn as the 'Jinyangho Reading Cafe' is the former site of 'Samrak Restaurant,' once managed by the late Seong Gye-ok, a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 12, Jinju Geommu. This place was where Jinju's sijo poets, including Acheon Choi Jae-ho and Kim Sang-ok, enjoyed reciting poetry.

Part of the first floor will be created as a memorial and Jinju literature space for Choi Jae-ho in consultation with his family, and the remaining space will be developed into a reading cafe open to all citizens. A rooftop observation and rest area will be created on the roof to allow visitors to enjoy the Jinyangho lakeside along with books.

The first floor of the 'small-scale cafe gallery' near the former Jinyangho dock will be a performance and exhibition space for local artists, and the second floor will be a cafe and other complex cultural spaces.

Jinju City plans to complete compensation for the buildings with a total budget of 2 billion won and aims to complete construction by January next year. After a pilot operation, the two cultural spaces will officially open in March.

A Jinju City official said, "Through the creation of cultural spaces along with the Jinyangho sunset, we will do our best to promote the project to generate synergy effects such as revitalizing the local economy, creating linked tourism booms, and enhancing the city’s image."

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