Gangwon Province Selected for Numerous Fishing Port and Village Modernization Projects... Launches "Major Transformation of Fishing Villages"

Gangwon Province Achieves Triple Success in Fishing Port and Village Modernization Projects
A Total of 19 Projects and 255.5 Billion Won Invested; Major Overhaul Begins
Province Accounts for Only 3% of National Fishing Ports, Yet Achieves Triple Selection Rate at 9.4%
Pursuing Major Transformation Toward “Livable Fishing Villages in Gangwon”

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin Tae) announced on November 24 that, following its selection for a large number of projects in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Aquarium and Fishing Village Modernization Public Contest Project, it will invest a total of 255.5 billion won (including 159.2 billion won in national funding) by 2030 to pursue a major transformation of fishing villages under the vision of creating “Livable Fishing Villages in Gangwon.”

Status of Aquarium and Fishing Village Modernization Public Contest Project. Provided by Gangwon Province

This achievement is particularly significant given that Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province accounts for only 2.8% of fishing ports nationwide, yet was selected for 19 out of 203 projects, recording an overwhelming selection rate of 9.4%. As a result, approximately 30% of the province’s 64 fishing ports will benefit from modernization projects.

The Aquarium and Fishing Village Modernization Project is a core policy of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to address the decline of fishing villages. It is a comprehensive regeneration initiative that modernizes fishing villages through improvements in village maintenance, living conditions, and tourism infrastructure. Major programs include “Fishing Village Vitalization,” “Clean National Fishing Port Development,” and “General Rural and Fishing Village Development.”

The 255.5 billion won secured by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province will be invested by 2030, with major allocations as follows: ▲ 166.9 billion won (including 95.8 billion won in national funding) for Fishing Village Vitalization (2023-2026) across 12 sites to expand economic and living infrastructure; ▲ 67.1 billion won (including 44.9 billion won in national funding) for Clean National Fishing Port Development (2022-2025) across 3 sites for port function reallocation, environmental improvements, and the creation of tourism ports; ▲ 26.9 billion won (including 18.5 billion won in national funding) for General Rural and Fishing Village Development (2022-2025) at 4 sites to improve settlement conditions and strengthen community foundations.

Notably, in the 2025 public contest, Gangwon Province achieved the remarkable feat of being selected for all three projects-Fishing Village Vitalization, Clean National Fishing Port Development, and General Rural and Fishing Village Development-securing 125.6 billion won in a single year. The core Fishing Village Vitalization Project has been selected for four consecutive years since its launch in 2023.

Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Province, is holding an octopus. Provided by Gangwon Province

This high selection rate is attributed to the “Gangwon-Style Fishing Village Regeneration Model,” which is recognized for its success in strengthening project proposals by uniquely allocating provincial funds among metropolitan governments to provide expert consultation and preliminary planning support for cities and counties, as well as increasing understanding of the projects through education for local officials and residents.

Recently, for the 2026 Fishing Village Vitalization Project, Jeongdong and Simgok Ports in Gangneung (restoration type) and Daejin Port in Goseong (economic leap type) were selected, securing an additional 37 billion won. Jeongdong and Simgok Ports will upgrade existing projects and improve living SOC, while Daejin Port in Goseong will be developed as a marine industry and tourism complex economic hub in connection with the Hwajinpo Resort development.

Governor Kim Jin Tae stated, “Since taking office, we have been selected for a total of 19 projects worth 255.5 billion won in the Aquarium and Fishing Village Modernization Public Contest Project and are currently implementing them. Although Gangwon Province’s fishing ports account for only 3% nationwide, we were selected for 19 out of 203 public contest projects, achieving a 9.4% selection rate and delivering results more than three times our share.”

He added, “This outcome, in which 30% of all fishing ports in the province have benefited, was made possible by the combined efforts of provincial and municipal officials, residents, and local National Assembly members Yang Soo Lee and Cheol Kyu Lee.”

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