Assemblyman Sobyeongcheol Officially Launches Collaboration with Korea Forest Service for Godongsan Development

Published 26 Sep.2023 10:39(KST)

Agreement on Phased Plan for Godongsan Tourism Development

Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeong-cheol urged Nam Seong-hyun, head of the Korea Forest Service, at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee plenary session held on the 13th to develop Godongsan in Suncheon, which is rich in forest resources such as native azaleas, birch forests, and cypress forests, into a national forest trail or healing forest.

In response, the Korea Forest Service held a meeting with residents of Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon City, at the Songgwang-myeon office in Jeollanam-do Suncheon on the 15th to discuss plans for developing Godongsan as a tourist resource.

[Photo by So Byeong-cheol's Office]

At the meeting, officials from the Korea Forest Service and Suncheon City, along with local residents, participated together to discuss concrete plans for developing Godongsan as a tourist resource, including the creation of recreational forests and national forest trails.

In particular, Korea Forest Service staff who visited Suncheon on site climbed Godongsan and conducted an on-site inspection, demonstrating a strong commitment to developing Godongsan as a tourist destination.

Godongsan is evaluated to have great value and potential as a tourist resource due to its abundant forest resources.

It is also geographically advantageous for tourism development as it is adjacent to Songgwangsa Temple, Juam Dam, and Suncheon Bay National Garden, but it had not been properly reviewed until now.

In this regard, Rep. So pointed out, “If Godongsan is designated by the Korea Forest Service and developed into a tourist attraction, it can be expected to attract population inflow and increase residents' income, which will help overcome the crisis of local extinction caused by population decline,” and suggested, “The Korea Forest Service needs to conduct preliminary surveys such as research projects for comprehensive development of Godongsan’s tourism resources.”

Nam Sang-hyun, head of the Korea Forest Service, responded, “If the conditions are met, we intend to increase national forest trails. The development of Godongsan will be actively reviewed through on-site investigations at the Korea Forest Service level.”

At the meeting, the Korea Forest Service explained specific project plans for developing Godongsan as a tourist resource, including a national forest campground, and collected opinions from residents.

Meanwhile, Rep. So and Director Nam met again at the National Assembly on the 20th to agree on the development plan reflecting the residents’ opinions collected by the Korea Forest Service and decided to proceed step by step.

Rep. So said, “I will do my best to actively utilize Godongsan’s excellent forest environment, such as native azalea habitats and cypress forests, to prevent population extinction and contribute to increasing residents’ income.”