Gang Jin-won, Gangjin County Governor, Visits Cultural Heritage Administration for Swift Steps to Secure National Funding

Request for 22.1 Billion KRW in National Funds Including Byeongyeongseong Restoration Project

Kang Jin-won, the governor of Gangjin County, is taking swift action to secure national funding for cultural heritage restoration projects in the region during the 8th local government administration.

According to the county on the 4th, Governor Kang visited the Cultural Heritage Administration on the 3rd and met with Choi Eung-cheon, the head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, to request the inclusion of national funds for ongoing cultural heritage projects and active cooperation for grant application projects.

(On the right) Kang Jin-won, the governor of Gangjin County, is meeting with Choi Eung-cheon, the head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, to request the inclusion of local priority projects in the national budget.
[Photo by Gangjin County]

At this meeting, Governor Kang first proposed securing 5 billion KRW needed next year for the restoration and maintenance project of Gangjin Jeolla Byeongyeongseong, which has been underway for 25 years.

He explained the urgency of restoring the large-scale warship remains, guesthouse, government office, and other building sites of the fortress, as well as the moat excavated outside the fortress, which holds the record of being the first military fortress in Korea.

The restoration project of Gangjin Jeolla Byeongyeongseong, ongoing for 25 years, is also highly demanded by residents for early completion.

Governor Kang Jin-won emphasized, “Through the complete restoration of Byeongyeongseong, which served as the army’s general headquarters overseeing Jeolla Province and Jeju Island for 500 years during the Joseon Dynasty, we can create a military culture experience center from the Joseon era and utilize it as a living history education site embodying the spirit of our nation.”

He also expressed his determination, saying, “We will further enhance the cultural and historical value of Jeolla Byeongyeongseong by linking it with the old alley walls (Registered Cultural Heritage), Byeongyeongseong Honggyo Bridge (Tangible Cultural Heritage), and the Hamel Memorial Hall. Starting from the 26th, we will actively utilize local cultural heritage and festivals, such as the ‘Byeongyeong Burning Friday Bulgogi Party’ held every Friday.”

Despite the prolonged restoration period of Jeolla Byeongyeongseong, the county has been striving to protect and promote it by holding the Byeongyeongseong Festival in conjunction with the Geumgoksa Cherry Blossom Festival this year and newly expanding the Hamel Memorial Hall last year.

Choi Eung-cheon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, expressed gratitude for Gangjin County’s efforts to preserve, promote, and utilize the cultural resources scattered throughout Gangjin, including the unfinished Byeongyeongseong, and promised positive consideration, stating, “We will actively support the county’s policies to ensure their success.”

This year, Gangjin County’s major national funding requests related to cultural tourism include 60 projects amounting to 21.1 billion KRW, such as cultural heritage restoration projects, Byeongyeongseong restoration, Byeongyeongseong landscape lighting, Goryeo Celadon kiln site maintenance plans, and Baegundong Wonlim garden maintenance.

Governor Kang Jin-won has set the vision for the 8th local government administration as “Increasing jobs and population through attracting 5 million tourists,” and plans to devote the county administration’s efforts to securing national funds so that the region’s historical tourism and cultural sites can become a driving force for attracting visitors.

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