Feasibility Reassessment for Garorimman National Marine Ecological Park Project Fails Again

Kim Taeheum: "Lack of Understanding as This Is the First Project in Korea... To Be Promoted as Individual Projects"
Establishment of Garorimman Comprehensive Development Plan: 23 Projects to Be Implemented Over 10 Years with 550 Billion Won Investment

The Garorimman National Marine Ecological Park project, a key pledge by President Yoon Suk-yeol for the Chungnam region, has failed to pass the feasibility re-evaluation by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. However, the provincial government announced that it will continue to push forward with the project without interruption.

The comprehensive evaluation results of the National Marine Ecological Park project, reviewed by the subcommittee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee last month, were released on the 11th. The subcommittee members expressed negative opinions regarding the marine ecosystem conservation and utilization policy, ultimately concluding that the project lacked feasibility with a comprehensive evaluation (AHP) score below 0.5.

In response to this result, Governor Kim Tae-heum expressed regret and announced plans to establish a comprehensive development plan for Garorimman and proceed with individual projects. From next year until 2034, the province plans to carry out 23 projects, including a Marine Protected Animal Research Center and the Garorimman Academy, totaling 550 billion KRW over ten years.

Governor Kim held a press conference at the provincial government office on this day, stating, "The Garorimman National Marine Ecological Park project is a top priority for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and is being promoted as a national policy task, which sufficiently demonstrates its necessity. The relatively high economic evaluation score also clearly shows the value of the project, so I regret this outcome," he said.

He continued, "Since this is the first project of its kind in Korea, there was a lack of understanding. While the purpose and intent of the project are clear, I think there was insufficient supporting logic. The distinction between conservation and utilization was pointed out as ambiguous, but we will coordinate and resolve this through mutual consultation," he said.

Governor Kim emphasized, "We will not halt the project. Instead, we will establish a long-term comprehensive development plan for Garorimman and proceed with individual projects. Starting next year, we will work with the government to promote the core ecological trail project that will connect the entire Garorimman area," he said.

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