Gokseong County Selected for Ministry of Land’s Customized Support Project

Redevelopment of the Okwa Guesthouse Site
with a Budget of 770 Million Won

Exterior view of Gokseong County Office.

Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Cho Sangrae) announced on August 10 that it has been finally selected for the "2025 Regional Development Project" Small-Scale Area Customized Support Project hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, securing a total project budget of 770 million won.

The core of this project is to redevelop the site of the former guesthouse on Daehak-ro in Okwa-myeon into an open cultural space where history, culture, and residents can come together. The guesthouse site served as the central government office of Okwahyeon during the Joseon Dynasty and was a hub for administrative and cultural exchange between the central and local governments. In the 16th century, it was the center of a "regional renaissance" where learning and culture flourished. Also affectionately known as "Sattogol," it has long been a symbol of pride for local residents.

However, the area around the guesthouse site currently faces multiple issues, including a weakened regional identity, a lack of spaces for people to stay, and a stagnant commercial district. In response, the county analyzed key issues through an idea contest for students at Jeonnam Science University and through surveys and interviews with local residents. As a result, the following problems were identified: a lack of everyday rest areas, poor nighttime environment, insufficient cultural content, and a disconnect in communication between generations.

To address these issues, the county plans to create a complex cultural space where the past and present coexist, including an open plaza, rest areas, and history and culture photo zones. Moving forward, the county will complete administrative procedures by next year through design and planning, expert consultations, and resident workshops, with full-scale construction scheduled to begin in 2027.

Governor Cho Sangrae emphasized, "I hope the guesthouse site will be reborn as a place where residents and young people can stay together, communicate, and restore the region's identity," adding, "'Sattogol,' where the past and present harmoniously blend, will serve as an opportunity to revitalize the local community."

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