Jangseong-gun Selected as an 'Excellent City/County' in the New Vitality Project for Agriculture and Livestock

Published 10 Jul.2023 14:01(KST)

The Rural New Vitality Plus Project in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as an ‘Outstanding City/County for Specialized Industry Advancement in the Tourism Content Sector’ for its ‘Creating a Sustainable Hinoki Cypress Forest Travel Ecosystem’ initiative.

According to the county on the 10th, the project drew significant attention from stakeholders by presenting its achievements at the ‘Rural New Vitality Plus Project Best Practices Workshop’ recently held at the Government Sejong Convention Center Grand Ballroom.

At the 'Rural New Vitality Plus Project Best Practices Workshop' held on the 6th at the Government Sejong Convention Center Grand Ballroom. <br>[Photo by Jangseong-gun]

At the 'Rural New Vitality Plus Project Best Practices Workshop' held on the 6th at the Government Sejong Convention Center Grand Ballroom.
[Photo by Jangseong-gun]

The Rural New Vitality Plus Project is a Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs public contest project aimed at promoting sustainable regional development through fostering specialized industries using tangible and intangible local assets and autonomous organizations, revitalizing communities, and creating local jobs.

Since proposing the ‘Hinoki Cypress Forest Harmony Healing Travel Project’ utilizing Chukryeongsan Mountain in 2019 and being selected, the county has successfully nurtured 12 activity groups (action groups) involving 69 residents.

As part of the project, the Chukryeongsan Forest Learning Center was established and became the first in Korea to receive the ‘Forest Learning Center International Certification (LEAF)’ from the Danish Environmental Education Foundation, and it was also selected as an excellent project by the National Balanced Development Committee.

Recently, it has been expanding its recognition on the global stage, including being invited to the International Conference of the Environmental Education Foundation.

Through the village travel agency ‘Yolowa Jangseong,’ unique content such as the stay-type forest travel program ‘Christmas Forest Stay’ and the ‘Bombom Flea Market’ selling local handmade products were introduced.

The village broadcasting station, composed of residents’ voluntary participation, promoted and communicated through various methods such as YouTube and live commerce.

Efforts were also made to revive tourism resources that had seen a decline in visitors. The project team renovated the Geumgok Film Village and Hong Gil-dong Theme Park facilities, transforming them into activity spaces for residents.

Not stopping at tourism content development, the project also promoted the ‘Forest Value Conservation Project’ for the coexistence of nature and humans.

County Governor Kim Han-jong said, “The county’s Rural New Vitality Plus Project is distinguished and valuable because residents are the main agents of the project and have achieved outstanding results,” adding, “I hope they will become partners and protagonists who open the era of ‘10 million Jangseong tourism’ through vigorous activities.”