Mokpo City Pledges to Focus Administrative Efforts on Future Strategic Industries

Mokpo Station Major Renovation, Island Cluster Development, Population Influx, and Efforts to Create Healing Spaces

Mayor Kim Jong-sik of Mokpo explaining the region's future strategic industries at the New Year's press conference on the 3rd. Photo by Mokpo City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seunghyun Jeong] Mokpo City, Jeollanam-do, has pledged to lead the creation of regional value by presenting a new regional future strategy for the new year.

On the 3rd, Mayor Kim Jongsik of Mokpo stated, "This year will be a year of new challenges and opportunities for Mokpo."

The city plans to focus its administrative efforts on the projects it has been prioritizing, such as renewable energy, seafood products, tourism, and culture and arts, to advance city administration this year.

In the renewable energy sector, offshore wind power will see the groundbreaking of the "Offshore Wind Power Integrated Support Center," with efforts focused on attracting related companies. For eco-friendly ships, preparations are underway for the government project "Development of Innovative Technologies for the Entire Life Cycle of Eco-friendly Ships," and the country's first electric ship will be launched early this year.

In the seafood products sector, the city is pushing forward with the construction of a seafood product export complex aiming for completion in 2024, while emphasizing strengthening competitiveness through the advancement of the seafood product industry and attracting seafood product manufacturing companies. Alongside this, efforts will be made to improve the quality and branding of gim (seaweed) and fish cakes.

In tourism, key strategies include infrastructure expansion, differentiated content, and effective marketing. The Mokpo Maritime W Show will be fully launched as a new nighttime tourism product, and the integrated tourism information system, which allows tourists to enjoy sightseeing with just a smartphone, will be enhanced. Additionally, tourism facility expansions will continue with the extension of the Daebandong Skywalk and the creation of the Gatbawi ecological indoor playground.

The former Mokpo Customs Warehouse will be transformed into a complex cultural space where visitors can experience Mokpo’s flavors, while the Gapja Ok Hat Shop and the former Honam Bank will be opened as the World Hat Museum and the Hall of Popular Music, respectively. Along with this, original tourism brand design development and marketing linked with K-pop stars and global channels will be carried out.

In the cultural sector, the city will actively promote cultural city projects. To this end, it will foster cultural talents, develop brands such as cultural cafes, and create a cultural platform to build a cultural ecosystem. Furthermore, the Mokpo Jazz Festival (tentative name) will be held to showcase differentiated cultural tourism products.

Urban design for a sustainable future will also continue. The Gatbawi Provincial Garden project will be promoted to create a garden within the city, and an 800-seat convention center and a 5-star hotel will be attracted to Samhakdo. In the second half of the year, the Mokpo Eoullim Library, including a toy library, will be opened.

Administrative efforts will also focus on major issues for Mokpo’s development. Efforts will be made to ensure that Mokpo Station is developed into a landmark eco-friendly ecological station in the southwestern region of the Korean Peninsula by reflecting it in government projects, and all capabilities will be mobilized to persuade the government to attract a medical school to Mokpo National University. To overcome population decline, a population policy team will be newly established to develop policies for population inflow, and responses to contemporary changes such as climate change and carbon neutrality will be implemented.

Activities to solidify Mokpo’s status as the "Island Capital" will also be carried out. To this end, efforts will be made to establish a world-class island cluster by attracting island research institutes and creating island theme parks, while projects such as the construction of underwater pipelines for island area water supply and the creation of the Oedaldo Sea Nature Garden will be promoted.

Mayor Kim Jongsik said, "I hope 2022 will be a year when we can fully regain our precious daily lives from COVID-19 with bright and hopeful energy," and added, "I look forward to 2022 moving forward 'Hobodangdang (虎步堂堂, confidently like a tiger’s stride)' with the strong spirit of a tiger."

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