Gochang-gun Rapidly Emerging as a West Coast Tourism Belt with Noeul Bridge and More

Published 24 Nov.2021 09:54(KST)

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jae-gil] Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, is rapidly emerging as a key area of the ‘West Coast Tourism Belt,’ including the Noeul Bridge and the Power Energy Cluster.

According to Gochang-gun on the 24th, the comprehensive development plan for the West Coast area and the inland advanced industrial zone, jointly established by 14 cities and counties in Jeonbuk Province on the 18th, was finally announced through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The county secured a total of 1.3514 trillion KRW for 10 projects as part of the West Coast development projects.

These projects are expected to gain momentum through government policy support and budget assistance.

The ‘West Coast Tourism Belt’ will connect the West Coast tourism road (Sunset Drive), starting from Gochang’s Noeul Bridge and encompassing Chungnam, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, into a single tourism belt.

Also attracting attention is the ‘Gochang Power Energy 4th Industrial Cluster Construction.’

Earlier, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) completed the world’s top-level ‘Ultra High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Cable Test Facility’ at the Gochang Power Test Center last month, establishing Gochang-gun as a hub for the clean electric energy industry.

The ‘Biosphere Experience Learning Belt Project with Sunset Period’ for the medium- to long-term development of the salt farm site in Simwon-myeon has also been included, raising expectations for active government support.

The county plans to develop the Gochang mudflat, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, as a buffer zone providing habitats for various flora and fauna and to nurture it as a key base of the West Coast marine ecological belt.

The plan also includes the creation of the Gochang Cultural Heritage Park, the Modern Civic Spirit Experience Learning Belt Project, and the expansion of the West Coast Expressway (Dongseocheon-Seo Gimje-Gochang).

County Governor Yu Gi-sang said, “We have established a comprehensive development plan to actively respond to the rapidly emerging Northeast Asian economic zone, including China, and to strengthen the functions and status of the West Coast area. Gochang-gun will take the lead in pioneering the Pan-Huanghae era through internal and external solidarity and cooperation among West Coast local governments.”