Simmin, Imsil County Governor, Proposes KTX Imsil Stop and Other Requests at Meeting

Kim Gwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, expressed his agreement on the necessity of KTX trains stopping at Imsil Station in Imsil County, where the number of visitors has surged in recent years thanks to the Imsil Cheese Festival and the opening of the Okjeongho Suspension Bridge, and stated that the provincial government will actively take action.

Sim Min, Mayor of Imsil County, said at a meeting with Governor Kim on the 1st, “KTX trains must stop at Imsil Station to address the increasing tourism demand from Okjeongho and the Cheese Theme Park, as well as to alleviate the inconvenience of railway use for visitors to the 35th Division and Imsil National Cemetery.”

He continued, “The feasibility study for KTX stops at Imsil Station showed a BC ratio of 1.71, and although the number of visitors sharply increased to 8.1 million last year, Imsil Station is the only one among the nine stations from Iksan to Yeosu Expo where KTX does not stop. To resolve transportation inconveniences for visitors, active interest and support from Jeonbuk Province are necessary,” he urged.

In response, Governor Kim said, “This issue is one we are paying close attention to, and we will actively petition the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the National Assembly and strive to secure support. Thorough preparation is needed to submit proposals, including those from the 35th Division and military units, to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport,” he emphasized.

In fact, the feasibility study for KTX stops at Imsil Station showed an economic benefit-cost ratio (BC) of 1.71, which meets the criteria for project implementation.

According to the Korea Tourism Data Lab, the number of visitors to Imsil County increased significantly by 162%, from 4.09 million in 2018 to 8.1 million last year. This year, with the full-scale Okjeongho era and the Imsil N Cheese Festival, there is a forecast that Imsil could achieve ten million tourists.

Accordingly, the county is making an all-out effort to secure the total project cost of 13.2 billion KRW needed for facility improvements such as platform expansion, station remodeling, and the construction of an underground passage required for KTX stops at Imsil Station.

Additionally, on this day, Mayor Sim requested special adjustment grants for essential county projects, including the construction of a new Seongsu-myeon Administrative Welfare Center (2019?2024, 7 billion KRW) due to the 30-year-old building’s deterioration causing significant inconvenience to residents, and the construction of a Microbial Cultivation Center within the Agricultural Technology Center (3 billion KRW).

He also asked Governor Kim for warm interest and active support for urgent projects in the Okjeongho area, such as the construction of the Okjeongho Bungeo Island Access Bridge (18 billion KRW) to respond to safety accidents and expand convenience facilities amid the influx of visitors following the opening of the suspension bridge, and the establishment of a suspension bridge connecting Jaraseom Island (19 billion KRW) to promote Okjeongho as a tourist attraction.

To foster local talent in line with the era of decentralization, he emphasized the need for the Jeonbuk Province to reflect special provisions in the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Act and for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to improve systems so that long-term training opportunities for Grade 5 officials can be expanded.

Mayor Sim said, “We ask for Jeonbuk Province’s full interest and support so that these key projects, which will be the driving force for the county’s development, can proceed smoothly. We will continue to communicate with the National Assembly, central government, and Jeonbuk Province to open the era of ten million tourists in Imsil,” he stated.

Imsil = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park No-sik baekok@asiae.co.kr

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