[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] The ‘Homi Peninsula National Marine Ecological Park Development’ project, which is being promoted as a key project by Gyeongbuk Province and Pohang City, was finally selected as a preliminary feasibility study target project at the 8th Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee meeting held by the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 27th, signaling a green light for project promotion.
Since 2020, Gyeongbuk Province has been conducting feasibility studies and basic plan establishment services together with Pohang City and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) to create the Homi Peninsula National Marine Ecological Garden. After collecting various opinions through several resident briefings and expert advisory meetings, the project was applied to the Ministry of Economy and Finance last October as a preliminary feasibility study target project.
With the selection as a preliminary feasibility study target project this time, the Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to select specialized institutions such as the Korea Development Institute (KDI) to conduct the preliminary feasibility study, and the decision to proceed with the project will be made based on the results.
Gyeongbuk Province intends to ensure the passage of the preliminary feasibility study, considering the value and importance of the future ocean.
The Homi Peninsula National Marine Ecological Park Development project aims to preserve and utilize the excellent marine ecosystem around Pohang’s Homi Peninsula to create a marine ecology and education space, and in connection with projects such as the Yeongilman Bridge, develop it into Korea’s representative marine-forest complex waterfront space.
To this end, it proposed the creation of a marine ecological hub on the East Coast where forests, the sea, humanities, and history harmonize, and set three major strategies: a healthy marine environment, a marine ecology and humanities education hub, and a sustainable economic growth hub.
The project target area is a total of 0.297㎢, including 0.25㎢ of the Homigot Marine Protected Area, and plans to invest 166.6 billion KRW over five years from next year to 2027.
Key projects by strategy include a Marine Garden Center, underwater ecological garden and marine protection projects, salmon waterway ecological garden, children’s marine ecology center, East Sea Haenyeo Culture Center, deep-sea experience pool, marine ecological village, and East Sea exploration bus project.
Through this, the Homi Peninsula will be established as a marine tourism hub where visitors stay, utilizing the East Coast’s pristine natural scenery and marine ecological resources, aiming to increase local residents’ income and attract young people to fishing villages, thereby creating regional growth momentum.
Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang City, said, “The Homi Peninsula National Marine Ecological Park Development project is a task that must be accomplished in preparation for the era of rapid climate change. As we have done so far, we will prepare thoroughly and respond to ensure it can be promoted promptly.”
Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “The Homi Peninsula National Marine Ecological Park Development project is the first to be promoted on the East Coast. With the upcoming Gyeongju World Cultural Heritage and the 2026 Ulleung Airport era, and in connection with the Yeongilman Bridge, which has been included in the national budget this time, it will become a landmark for marine history and cultural tourism in the East Coast area. We will make every effort to ensure the final preliminary feasibility study passes.”
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