Gokseong-gun Wins 'Grand Prize in Culture and Tourism' at Local Autonomy Management Awards

Published 06 Jul.2023 18:29(KST)

Local Governments Selected for Contributing to Innovation in Regional Development Administrative Services

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced on the 5th that it won the Grand Prize in the Culture and Tourism category at the 28th Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards.

The Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards, hosted by the Korea Public Autonomy Research Institute, is an award given to local governments that have contributed to regional development and administrative service innovation to improve residents' quality of life.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

The selection process includes the first quantitative evaluation, second qualitative evaluation, third resident satisfaction survey, and fourth interview screening, followed by a final eligibility review by the judging committee.

Gokseong-gun strategically improved existing festivals by reflecting changes in tourism trends and the demands of local residents.

Additionally, it has held festivals planned and participated in directly by local residents, striving to develop differentiated content.

Through this, Gokseong has created its three signature premium festivals: the Gokseong World Rose Festival, Gokseong Ice Cream Festival, and Gokseong Simcheong Children's Festival.

In particular, Seomjingang Train Village, Gokseong-gun’s representative tourist attraction, has continuously evolved to enhance its tourism value through the completion of the train platform, doubling the size of the Rose Park, and operating monthly themed sweet events.

Moreover, cultural heritage preservation activities such as the designation of the Gwaneumsa Temple Bell and Gwangmyeongdae, as well as Seolsan Mountain Fortress as new cultural assets of Jeollanam-do, received high evaluations.

Governor Lee Sang-cheol of Gokseong-gun said, “We are very pleased that Gokseong’s culture and tourism policies have been recognized at the Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards, which boasts authority and tradition among local governments nationwide. I dedicate this honor to the staff who have worked tirelessly to develop Gokseong’s cultural and tourism content with limited resources. Moving forward, we will develop regionally specialized G-tourism content focused on ecological healing that highlights our pristine natural environment and unique sensibilities, aiming to become a center for wellness tourism.”

Meanwhile, the Gokseong Simcheong Children’s Grand Festival previously won the Excellence Award at the 2022 Korea Local Autonomy Management Exhibition, and Seomjingang Train Village was selected for the fifth time in the Korea Top 100 Tourist Attractions.