Changwon Mayor Hong Nam-pyo Leads Environmental Cleanup for Jinhae Gunhangje Festival Guests

Sweating Together with 200 Citizens on the Coast
Inspecting the Opening Site of the Ungdong Reservoir Cherry Blossom Complex

On the 20th, Changwon Special City Mayor Hong Nam-pyo launched a springtime environmental cleanup activity in the area around Jinhaeru with about 200 citizens to create a pleasant and beautiful festival site in celebration of the 63rd Jinhae Gunhangje Festival.

Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special Mayor, Participates in Natural Cleanup Activity Welcoming Guests to the 63rd Jinhae Gunhangje Festival.

In addition to Mayor Hong, nine organizations including the Jinhae branch of the Nature Conservation Council and many citizens who participated voluntarily joined the environmental maintenance efforts. The cleanup activities were focused on coastal areas such as Jinhaeru, where new cruise operations and a maritime fireworks show will be held during this year's festival, as well as Sokcheon Port and Sojukdo Park.

In particular, Mayor Hong actively participated by wearing gloves and picking up trash himself, while also taking time to communicate with citizens.

Mayor Hong said, "Jinhae Gunhangje is Changwon’s representative festival, widely promoting our city's history and culture along with beautiful cherry blossoms. As many tourists visit, creating a clean surrounding environment is more important than anything else."

Mayor Hong also visited the Ungdong Reservoir Cherry Blossom Complex, which has been opened to the public for the first time in 57 years since 1968, to inspect internal facilities, nearby parking, and citizen accessibility, and carefully listened to local residents’ concerns through direct communication.

Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special Mayor, Inspects the Site of the Opening of the Cherry Blossom Complex at Ungdong Reservoir.

Ungdong Reservoir was closed after an armed guerrilla infiltration incident in 1968 and has since been a civilian restricted area. However, it has been reopened for the first time in 57 years in time for this year’s festival, making the event even more colorful. The area features a colony of about 450 cherry trees estimated to be around 70 years old, and is expected to become a new cherry blossom attraction in the eastern part of Jinhae.

Since Changwon Special City, the Jinhae Naval Base Command, and local residents signed an agreement, the city has promoted various projects for smooth opening. About 800 million won was invested to manage access to the surrounding military-controlled area and prevent pollution of the reservoir, including partially removing old fences and installing safety barriers. Additionally, a 250-meter walking trail, restrooms, and photo zones were established, marking a meaningful achievement with the opening after 57 years.

Mayor Hong stated, "Through ongoing consultations with the navy and nearby residents, we will foster the Ungdong Reservoir Cherry Blossom Complex as a leading tourist destination in Jinhae, maximize synergy with the Jinhae Marine Park area, which will become a hub for marine leisure tourism, and contribute not only to generating tourism revenue but also to revitalizing the local economy."

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