Lee Yong-seop: "Opening the Tourism Era with Four Major Eco-friendly Ecological Waterway Projects"

Announcement of Green City Pledge Featuring Eco-Friendly Landmarks

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Lee Yong-seop, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced his third pledge on the 11th to complete a "bigger and stronger Gwangju."

On the day, Lee held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council Citizen Communication Office and stated, "We will create landmarks representing Gwangju through four major eco-friendly ecological waterway projects and open an era of 10 million tourists."

Lee said, "Safety, environment, and ecology have become the top criteria for judging a city's competitiveness," and showed a strong will, saying, "Gwangju, which has been ahead of its time, will take the lead in restoring a natural ecosystem where people and nature coexist and securing sustainability."

The four major eco-friendly ecological waterway projects announced by Lee are ▲ designation of Yeongsan River as a national garden ▲ creation of a premium ecological tourism site at Hwangryong River Jangnok Wetland ▲ early completion of the Gwangjucheon Arirang Cultural Waterway Project ▲ and creation of a family-friendly waterfront space at Pungyeongjeong Stream.

First, the Yeongsan River National Garden designation project will proceed in three major stages.

In the first stage, the riverside of Yeongsan River passing through Gwangju will be developed into a local garden, laying the foundation over three years, after which the designation of Yeongsan River as a national garden will be actively pursued. To this end, a dedicated project organization will be established in Gwangju City, and a citizen coalition promotion council will be formed to accelerate the process.

Next, in the second stage, various ecological forests and convenience facilities will be created in the riverside area connecting Yeongsan River and Hwangryong River, and finally, in the third stage, together with Jeonnam Province, a super-regional tourism belt blending ecology, history, and culture will be established from Gwangju to Mokpo, leading the era of 10 million tourists.

The area around Hwangryong River Jangnok Wetland, the first urban national wetland protection zone designated in Korea, will also be developed into a "premium ecological tourism area" where nature and people harmonize.

Jangnok Wetland has maintained its natural terrain for over 60 years and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including four endangered species and a total of 829 taxa.

In this area, an ecological learning center, observation facilities, and wildlife ecological corridors will be established, and a themed village utilizing historical and cultural resources near Hwangryong River such as Wolbong Seowon, Uibyeong Battle Sites, and Seonam Ferry Terminal will be created.

Gwangjucheon will be completed early as part of the Arirang Cultural Waterway Project to become a representative waterfront space for Gwangju's culture and tourism.

Upon completion of the project by the end of this year, the water volume of Gwangjucheon is expected to increase, and water quality will improve from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Along with this, tourist hubs such as Gwangjucheon, Yangdong Market, the National Asia Culture Center, and Yangnim-dong will be linked to create a refined cultural waterway, and cultural and artistic gardens will also be established.

Pungyeongjeong Stream will have its water quality improved and convenience facilities expanded to create a family-friendly waterfront space where citizens can use it comfortably and safely.

Lee emphasized, "Our Gwangju has excellent ecological resources such as Yeongsan River, Hwangryong River, Gwangjucheon, and Pungyeongjeong Stream," and added, "Preserving and nurturing these well to pass on their value intact to our children is also an important role of our generation."

He also expressed his ambition, saying, "Along with the Yeongsan River National Garden, we will develop Jeonnam's natural resources into green competitiveness to complete an eco-friendly green city, Gwangju, that the world envies and wants to visit."