Geuinmo, Geochang County Governor, "Completely Resolving Issues That Hindered County Administration"... Leading Stable County Governance

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, is receiving attention for leading a stable county administration by thoroughly resolving pending issues that hindered the county government in the early days of County Governor Goo In-mo’s inauguration, and achieving many results in various fields.

Major large-scale projects such as the Geochang Legal Town Development Project, World Elevator Hub City Development Project, Advanced Industrial Complex Development Project, Ungokcheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project, and the construction of a public dementia-specialized elderly care facility are being steadily promoted.

Additionally, tourism infrastructure is being established to create an east-west-north-south tourism belt, including Geochang Anti-Aging Healing Land, Geochang Changpo Garden and the 2nd Changpo Garden, and Gamaksan Anti-Aging Wellness Experience Center, attracting many visitors from outside, increasing floating population, and contributing to revitalizing the local economy.

In particular, the Geochang-eup Circular Road Construction Project, Roundabout Construction Project, completion of Handeul Bridge, and Meeting Plaza Construction Project have been well received by residents for improving the urban traffic system, and with Geochang included in the national railway and road network plans, development as a transportation hub is anticipated.

Urban Roundabout

◆ Urban Roundabout Construction and Completion of Handeul Bridge Improve City Traffic System

Geochang-gun started with the roundabout at the south end of Geochang Bridge in June last year, and in May installed a roundabout at the north end of Handeul Bridge, opening Handeul Bridge, the sixth bridge connecting the south and north of Geochang-eup, easing traffic congestion around nearby large apartment complexes and improving accessibility to the Sports Park.

Also, in September, roundabouts were completed at four locations: the south and north ends of Jungang Bridge, Changdong Bridge, Arim Bridge, and the northern intersection, dramatically improving habitual traffic congestion areas and roads with aging infrastructure prone to major accidents, making traffic flow safer and smoother, thereby increasing resident satisfaction.

◆ Expansion of Geochang-eup Outer Circular Road Network Expected to Distribute Traffic and Promote Balanced Development

Following the completion of Handeul Bridge in May, the county is promoting the Daepyeong-ri Bypass Road Maintenance Project connecting Geochang IC to Handeul Bridge, aiming for completion in April 2022.

The Daepyeong-ri Bypass Road Maintenance Project involves opening a 1.2 km section connecting to Handeul Bridge to prepare for increased traffic volume due to the construction of a large apartment complex with 843 households and a large mart near the apartments in Daepyeong-ri, aiming to disperse traffic and improve convenience for residents.

Additionally, the Geochang Southern Bypass Road Construction Project was included in the ‘5th National Road Construction 5-Year Plan’ last October, with a total budget of 43.9 billion KRW fully funded by the national government. It plans to open a 3.0 km four-lane road from Geochang IC to Gyeongnam Geochang University to Geoyeol Bridge, with construction starting in 2022 and completion scheduled for 2025.

This project is a campaign pledge of Governor Goo In-mo during the 7th local government term, and after more than three years of repeated visits to central government ministries and Gyeongnam Province to explain the necessity of the project and continuously persuade for its importance in terms of balanced development, it has borne fruit.

Mannam Plaza.

◆ Completion of Geochang Meeting Plaza and Improvement Project of Geochang IC Gateway

The ‘Geochang Meeting Plaza Construction Project’ began in December 2018 with a project cost of 3 billion KRW on a site of 15,000㎡. Last December, 93 parking spaces were completed, and this year, green spaces and rest parks, tourist information signboards (partition walls), pink flower turf in the scenic garden, restrooms, and other convenience facilities and rest areas were installed within the plaza.

Also, a 6-meter-high observation tower was installed to allow visitors to Geochang to view the cityscape and the LED circular dome planned to be installed at the IC roundabout. CCTV will be installed to enhance security in the parking lot, and an unmanned automatic parking management system will be installed and managed to prevent long-term parking and ensure the safety of visiting vehicles.

◆ Railway and Highway Passing Through Geochang Included in National Railway and Road Network Plans

In June, the Daegu-Gwangju ‘Dalbit Inland Railway’ was included in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan, marking a historic achievement with a railway passing through Geochang.

The Dalbit Inland Railway Project (total length 199 km, single track) connects 10 local governments including Daegu, Goryeong, Hapcheon, Geochang, Hamyang, Jangsu, Namwon, Sunchang, Damyang, and Gwangju with a high-speed railway. The estimated project cost is 4.5 trillion KRW.

Once this project materializes, it will have a significant effect on regional balanced development among six metropolitan cities in Yeongnam and Honam regions and strengthen connectivity between regional hubs, enabling Daegu and Gwangju to form a one-hour living zone.

Governor Goo In-mo said, "In this comprehensive plan, Geochang-gun is included in the north-south axis of the Chungbuk Jincheon-Hapcheon highway section, and a well-connected transportation network linking the Gwangju-Daegu highway and others will be established," adding, "In the future, increased transportation demand, easier logistics transport, and tourism activation are expected to contribute to revitalizing the local economy."