Gokseong-gun Launches Global Exciting Eco-Leisure Tourism Start

Overcoming Aging Resident Population Through Influx of Young Population

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) conducted the Global Exciting Korea Challenge program, which allows participants to experience Korea's beautiful nature and diverse culture, from September to October.

To address the issues of aging population and population decline, the county has been devising various strategies to increase the local resident population.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

Accordingly, Gokseong-gun introduced the ‘Global Exciting Korea Challenge in Gokseong’ program targeting global participants, confirming Gokseong’s potential as a global tourist destination.

The first Global Exciting Korea Challenge in Gokseong was a program called ‘Challenge to Daehwang River.’

This program mainly targeted foreigners, and participants traveled from Seoul to Gokseong by KTX.

They visited the famous tourist spot, Seomjingang Train Village, and explored Gokseong’s specialties and various accessories at Ttukbang Market.

Participants visiting Gokseong for the first time traveled 10 km by bicycle from Gajeong Station to Inseongwon, experiencing the beautiful autumn scenery of the Seomjin River.

After arriving at Daehwang River, participants enjoyed a kayaking experience. The abundant water volume and fast currents provided them with an even more exciting experience.

American participant Shawn Klug said, “Seomjingang Train Village was fantastic, like being in the Harry Potter village. I want to participate again next year.”

The second Global Exciting Korea Challenge in Gokseong was held from October 14 for one night and two days with the program ‘Challenge to Dongak Mountain, one of Korea’s 100 famous mountains, and paragliding.’

This program had 22 participants from 15 countries across Asia and Europe.

They departed from Seoul and arrived at Gokseong Station, then first visited Seomjingang Train Village.

Afterwards, they experienced Seomjingang paragliding and the Sangsang School Adventure. They also had a warm-up session before the main trail running challenge.

Trail running is a sport that involves running on mountainous trails with significant terrain changes, allowing participants to feel the mountains and forests.

Participants immersed themselves in Gokseong’s nature by trail running on Dongak Mountain, selected as one of Korea’s 100 famous mountains.

American attendee Bowman Johnston said, “The fields of Gokseong viewed from the sky were so beautiful it felt like flying over a painting. The challenge program in Gokseong became an unforgettable memory for life.”

Meanwhile, on the same day, students and teachers from Namwon Gugak Arts High School’s Practical Music Department toured various travel courses in Gokseong, experiencing and feeling nature.

The students plan to produce a music video capturing their experiences through music and video.

A Gokseong-gun official said, “Thanks to the active participation of attendees in the Global Exciting Korea Challenge, we were able to confirm the potential for new tourism products.

Going forward, to become a hub for eco-leisure tourism enjoyed by people worldwide, we plan to promote strategies where participants create and spread content themselves.”

Along with this challenge event, Gokseong-gun is promoting various changes and attempts such as the Simcheong Children’s Festival, a children’s theme festival, and developing the ‘Rose Cacao’ product, which combines the county’s representative tourism product, roses, with chocolate.

Through these efforts, they continue to attract young tourists and enhance the vitality and liveliness of the region.

Additionally, Gokseong-gun boasts beautiful natural environments such as the Seomjin River, Daehwang River, and Dongak Mountain, one of Korea’s 100 famous mountains.

With family-friendly theme parks like Seomjingang Train Village and various leisure tourism infrastructures such as Amnok Sangsang School, it attracts tourists as a ‘mecca of ecology and leisure tourism.’

Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr