Boseong County Launches Full-Scale "Marine and Fisheries Renaissance" Led by the Sea

Yeojaman Area Selected for 169.7 Billion Won National Marine Ecological Park Preliminary Feasibility Study

Boseong County in South Jeolla Province has declared 2026 as the year to usher in a marine and fisheries renaissance, announcing its commitment to realizing the vision of a "Boseong Sea that people want to visit and live by."

This strategy will focus on four core future visions: establishing the Deukryangman region as a center for marine leisure, transforming the Yeojaman area into a national hub for marine ecology, restoring fishery resources, and innovating the living conditions in fishing villages and on islands.

Aerial view of Boseong Beolgyo Mudflat Ecological Exploration Road Section 3 (Jangam to Haedo Bridge). Provided by Boseong County

◆ Transformation into a Future-Oriented, Year-Round Marine Leisure Hub

With Yulpo Port in the Deukryangman area designated as a national fishing port, a government project worth a total of 71.7 billion won is being actively pursued. Boseong County plans to begin basic and detailed design work in 2026, gradually constructing breakwaters, berthing facilities, and safety infrastructure, with the goal of developing the port as a key marine hub on the southern coast.

The Yulpo Marine Complex Center project (44.1 billion won) has achieved a 50% completion rate and is being developed as a complex marine leisure facility featuring the deepest diving pool in Korea (41.5 meters) and deep surfing amenities. It is expected to attract marine leisure enthusiasts from across the country.

In addition, related projects such as the Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project (25.6 billion won) and the Yulpo Youth Vitality ON Platform (10.5 billion won) will be implemented in tandem to create a year-round marine leisure complex district that blends youth entrepreneurship, a beach market street, and cultural and experiential content.

◆ UNESCO World Natural Heritage Beolgyo Mudflat: Leaping Toward a Global Marine Ecology Capital

The "Yeojaman National Marine Ecological Park Construction Project," Boseong County's highest-priority initiative, has been selected for the Ministry of Economy and Finance's preliminary feasibility study, which will commence in earnest in 2026.

This project, with a total budget of 169.7 billion won, includes mudflat restoration, expansion of migratory bird habitats, and the construction of ecological education facilities. The goal is to develop a global marine ecological tourism hub centered on the Beolgyo Mudflat, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

In particular, the traditional Boseong mudflat raft fishery, designated as Korea's second Nationally Important Fisheries Heritage, is being prepared for registration as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System by 2027. If registration is finalized, the anthropological value of the Boseong mudflat will be internationally recognized.

Additionally, the Boseong Beolgyo Mudflat Ecological Exploration Road project (49.4 billion won) will see the completion of sections 1 and 2 in 2026, with construction on section 3, connecting Jangam and Haedo, beginning and scheduled for completion in 2027.

◆ A Prosperous Future for Fisheries with Clean Seas

Boseong County is launching the "Beolgyo Cockle Ribbon Project" to restore fishery resources and respond to climate change. By investing 3 billion won from the Local Extinction Response Fund, the county will restore cockle habitats, release seed cockles, and innovate distribution structures, aiming to restore the reputation and competitiveness of "Beolgyo Cockle," Korea's first seafood product with a geographical indication.

Furthermore, the county is stabilizing fishermen's incomes and ensuring sustainable, pristine fishing grounds through annual projects such as purchasing and releasing fishery seeds, supporting fishing gear and bait, and conducting marine waste clean-up operations.

◆ Creating New Vitality in Livable Fishing Villages by Improving Living Conditions

Boseong County is enhancing the quality of life for residents in fishing villages and on islands by expanding settlement infrastructure and strengthening welfare services closely tied to daily life.

For island regions with limited access to medical care, such as Jangdo and Haedo, the county will introduce the "Eobok Bus" project in 2026, providing customized medical services through a remote medical consultation system.

Additionally, the Hosanhang Fishing Village New Deal 300 Project (7.8 billion won) and the Gunnonghang Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project (5 billion won) will be completed in 2026. The Haedohang Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project (4.9 billion won) has finished its detailed design and is set to begin construction.

Boseong County plans to organically link these projects to comprehensively improve port functions, expand living social overhead capital, and enhance settlement conditions, thereby establishing a stable foundation for the fishing village population to settle and thrive.

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