Jang Chung-nam, Namhae County Governor: "Fostering the Namhaean Tourism Belt and the Center of Ecotourism in Korea"

Jang Chung-nam, the mayor of Namhae County in Gyeongnam, announced in his first New Year's address this year that he will develop Namhae County as the center of the South Coast Tourism Belt and a hub for ecological tourism in South Korea, in line with the government's ‘Southern Region Wide-area Tourism Development Plan’.

In particular, Mayor Jang expressed his determination to actively engage in projects that discover and inherit tangible and intangible historical and cultural heritage, thereby enhancing the pride of the residents and the status of Namhae County, while using this as a foundation for creating high-quality content.

Namhae County Governor Jang Chung-nam began his first official schedule of the new year by paying respects at the Memorial Tower.

Mayor Jang stated, “Despite difficult domestic and international conditions, we must move forward as the center of ecological tourism in South Korea where growth and welfare harmonize, based on the achievements we have made so far,” adding, “Recently, the government announced the ‘Southern Region K-Tourism Leisure Belt Establishment Plan’ and revealed plans to invest 3 trillion won over 10 years, which presents a great opportunity for Namhae County at the national policy level.”

Recently, Namhae County secured a total project budget of 40.5 billion won as three projects, including the ‘Marine Sports Healing Travel Platform Development,’ were included in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s ‘Southern Region Wide-area Tourism Development Plan.’

Mayor Jang said, “The policy trend emphasizing the South Coast Tourism Belt has been materializing one after another since the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel project was confirmed,” and added, “I dare say that Namhae is at the center of the South Coast Tourism Belt, and the united strength of Namhae residents is driving the revitalization of the South Coast Tourism Belt.”

In 2024, Namhae County plans to make every administrative effort to ensure the undersea tunnel construction proceeds smoothly. Despite an overall budget reduction due to fiscal tightening, the county intends to expand budgets related to livelihood, welfare, and safety to stabilize farmers, fishermen, and small business owners.

Mayor Jang proposed ▲expanding welfare closely connected to daily life ▲strengthening support measures for small business owners and farmers and fishermen ▲qualitative leap in Namhae’s tourism industry ▲timely completion of living SOC projects, stating, “We have already achieved a lot, and now we will realize low-cost, high-efficiency administration throughout the county with more sophisticated ideas.”

He also emphasized, “From now on, we will elevate Namhae County as a region where history and culture shine,” adding, “This will raise the pride of residents and the status of Namhae County and serve as a foundation for creating high-quality content.”

Mayor Jang highlighted that Namhae County is the site where the Goryeo Tripitaka was carved, the location of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s last victory at the Battle of Noryang, and a region where the Donghak Peasant Movement, based on the spirit of protecting the nation and comforting the people, was vigorous.

He said, “Based on these proud historical and cultural assets, we will focus the county administration’s capabilities on properly developing historic sites and tourist attractions.”

Mayor Jang began his official 2024 schedule on January 2 by attending the first auction ceremony at the fish market and paying respects at the Memorial Tower, following the New Year’s sunrise event at Darangi Village on January 1.

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