Gochang-gun Selected as Candidate for Small-Scale Tourist Complex... Boost to Tourism Development in the West Coast Area

Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Autonomous Province, has been selected as a 'small-scale tourist complex candidate,' raising expectations for a boost in tourism development in the West Coast area, including the Gochang Comprehensive Theme Park.

According to the county on the 16th, the government announced plans for the creation of small-scale tourist complexes as part of the 'Population Decline Area Support Project' at an emergency economic ministers' meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok the day before.

A bird's-eye view of the Gochang Comprehensive Theme Park Development Project.
[Photo by Gochang County]

The 'small-scale tourist complex' will receive additional support beyond the existing benefits for attracting private investment, such as exemption from development charges for existing tourist complexes, including benefits for population decline areas (preferential loans from the Tourism Fund, up to 100% reduction in property tax, linkage with the Local Extinction Response Fund, etc.). Seven cities and counties nationwide, including Gochang-gun, were selected as candidate sites.

The designation requirements have also been reduced from the existing 500,000㎡ to between 50,000㎡ and 300,000㎡, and essential facilities for tourist complexes can be approved if they include public convenience and tourist accommodation facilities.

The authority for designation and approval has also been transferred from the heads of metropolitan governments to the heads of basic local governments.

Accordingly, the Gochang Comprehensive Theme Park development project in Gochang-gun is expected to gain further momentum.

In November last year, the county signed an implementation agreement with HJ Magnolia Yongpyong Hotel & Resort Co., Ltd. to promote the Gochang Comprehensive Theme Park development project and is currently proceeding with related procedures such as strategic environmental impact assessments.

In particular, regarding the surrounding land that has not yet been confirmed for development, it is expected that active investment from many domestic and foreign companies will be made through the designation of a small-scale tourist complex.

It is also expected to be a turning point that accelerates regional development through projects such as the early construction of Noeul Bridge, the mudflat ecological complex tourist site, and the Myeongsasimni tourism development project.

Earlier, on the 11th of last month, County Governor Shim Deok-seop visited the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and met with Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok to request government-level interest and support for the early construction of Noeul Bridge, a long-cherished local wish.

Governor Shim Deok-seop said, “I am confident that the Gochang West Coast area will be reborn as the country’s top ecological tourism destination with the completion of the Gochang Comprehensive Theme Park complex and Noeul Bridge,” adding, “We will actively respond to the government’s follow-up measures (such as related law amendments) and play a pioneering role in overcoming the population extinction crisis.”

Gochang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jae-gil baekok@asiae.co.kr

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