Opening of Korea's First 'Wando Marine Healing Center'... Dawn of the Marine Healing Industry

Composition of 16 Healing Therapy Facilities Including Sea Water, Seaweed, and Mud

Expected to Promote Public Health, Create Jobs and Income, and Revitalize the Economy

Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, held an opening ceremony on the 24th for the Marine Healing Center, the first of its kind established in Korea, signaling the dawn of the marine healing industry in the country.

According to the county on the 24th, about 150 people attended the opening ceremony, including Cho Seung-hwan, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries; Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do; Yoon Jae-gap, Member of the National Assembly; Kim In-chang, Chief of the West Sea Regional Coast Guard; Jung Moon-soo, Chief of Mokpo Regional Oceans and Fisheries Office; Heo Gung-hee, Chairman of Wando County Council; provincial assembly members Lee Cheol and Shin Ui-jun; former members of Wando County Council; officials from related organizations; and local residents.

The ceremony proceeded with commemorative tree planting, a report on the center’s construction progress, welcoming remarks, congratulatory speeches, and a tour of the facilities.

Minister Cho Seung-hwan of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is delivering a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the Iwando Marine Healing Center.
[Photo by Wando-gun]

Started in 2020, the Wando Marine Healing Center is a building with one basement floor and two above-ground floors (total floor area of 7,740㎡). The first floor houses five therapy rooms including a thalasso pool, meditation pool, and seaweed foam therapy room. The second floor consists of a health examination room and 11 specialized therapy rooms (wet and dry) utilizing mud, seaweed, and other resources.

The products used in the therapy rooms utilize resources produced in Wando such as Hwangchil (Dendropanax morbifera), loquat, yuzu, and mud.

Additionally, there are healing spaces using exercise therapies like Pilates and yoga, as well as rest areas where visitors can enjoy tea and refreshments.

Before the center’s official opening, a pilot operation was conducted from September 21 to November 17, targeting 1,800 participants including residents, institutions, and social organizations.

A survey conducted among pilot participants showed high satisfaction rates: for the basic programs on the first floor, 48.9% were “very satisfied” and 41.1% “satisfied”; for the specialized programs on the second floor, 47.4% were “very satisfied” and 40.8% “satisfied.”

Popular programs included the underwater rehabilitation exercise “Watsu,” seaweed foam therapy, and on the second floor, “stone therapy” and “seaweed mud wrapping therapy.”

The county plans to operate the center with a focus on providing specialized and unique healing services exclusive to Wando, attracting healing visitors and revitalizing the marine healing industry.

Wando-gun was selected as a leading local government for the marine healing industry in 2017 due to its pristine marine environment and abundant marine resources.

At the opening ceremony of the Wando Marine Healing Center, a ribbon-cutting is taking place.
[Photo by Wando-gun]

Since then, various public facilities such as the Marine Climate Healing Center, Marine Culture Healing Center, Yaksan Marine Healing Forest, and Cheongsan Marine Healing Park have been established, completing the ecosystem for the marine healing industry with the opening of the core Marine Healing Center.

Along with the full-scale operation of the Marine Healing Center, plans are underway to attract private investment to build hotels, resorts, and residences, creating a marine healing complex.

Meanwhile, to commemorate the opening of the Wando Marine Healing Center, an event is being held until the end of the year offering a 50% discount on fees for public facilities including the Marine Healing Center, Marine Culture Healing, and Climate Healing Centers.

Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor, said, “In this super-aged society, the Wando Marine Healing Center, the first of its kind in Korea, will provide healthy lives to the public and contribute to job creation, income generation, and revitalization of the local economy.” He added, “In particular, it will create greater synergy by linking with the county’s key projects such as the marine bioindustry specializing in abalone and seaweed, and the construction of a wellness marine tourism city.”

He also expressed his ambition, saying, “We will do our best to ensure that the Wando Marine Healing Center becomes the cradle of the marine healing industry and that Wando rises as Korea’s number one healing destination.”

Wando = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Kyung-pil just8440@asiae.co.kr