Namhae-gun Holds 'Namhae Bridge 50th Anniversary Opening Ceremony'

Expectations for Recovery as the 'Second National Tourist Destination' through Tourism Resource Development Project

Namhae-gun, Gyeongnam Province, held a ceremony on the 22nd to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Namhae Bridge.

Opened in June 1973, Namhae Bridge has served as the main gateway to Namhae-gun for the past 50 years and has elevated the county’s tourism status as a so-called “national tourist destination.”

It is the oldest suspension bridge in Korea and was the largest in East Asia at the time of its opening. It was also popular as a destination for school trips, various group tours, and honeymoons.

Namhae Bridge 50th Anniversary Opening Ceremony.

However, over time, the appeal of Namhae Bridge as a tourism content has gradually diminished. Additionally, with the opening of Noryang Bridge nearby in 2018, its role as a vehicular bridge has also decreased.

As Noryang Bridge took over the route of National Road No. 19, the management authority of Namhae Bridge was transferred from the Busan Regional Construction and Management Administration to Namhae-gun.

Accordingly, the county is promoting a “tourism resource development project” worth 19 billion KRW (9.5 billion KRW national funds, 2.85 billion KRW provincial funds, 6.65 billion KRW county funds) to preserve and upgrade the beautiful scenery embodied by Namhae Bridge and the memories accumulated by the residents over time.

During the 50th anniversary ceremony of Namhae Bridge, the county shared the blueprint for the “tourism resource development project” and recreated the moment of joy when countless people crossed Namhae Bridge over the Noryang Sea at the time of its opening.

Above all, the significance of the 50th anniversary of Namhae Bridge was further highlighted by the scheduled groundbreaking ceremony for the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel, expected at the end of this year, which is anticipated to lead the county’s great leap forward.

Namhae Bridge 50th Anniversary Opening Ceremony.

Governor Jang Chung-nam said, “This year, the 50th anniversary of Namhae Bridge is even more special because the groundbreaking ceremony for the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel will be held,” adding, “If Namhae Bridge was the stepping stone for Namhae-gun’s great leap, the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel will be the wings that allow Namhae-gun to soar.”

About 500 people attended the ceremony, including residents who crossed Namhae Bridge at the time of its opening, residents born in 1973, children who will illuminate Namhae’s future, as well as locals and tourists.

The attendees marched from Namhae Noryang toward Hadong Noryang to the rhythm of a marching band, receiving a welcoming greeting from Hadong residents at the end of the bridge.

Governor Jang said, “Simply walking on Namhae Bridge while enjoying the beautiful Noryang Sea and feeling the patriotic spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is expected to become Korea’s first and best tourism resource,” adding, “Building on 50 years of growth achieved through Namhae Bridge, we will continue 100 years of prosperity with the undersea tunnel.”

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