Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, opened the new year by greeting the sunrise with heads of departments and bureaus on the first day of 2024, followed by visits to the 3.15 Democratic Cemetery and Changwon Chung-hon Tower.

At the New Year's sunrise event held at Solar Tower in Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, Governor Park proposed expanding logistics and transportation infrastructure linked to tourism development that utilizes the unique potential of the South Coast, differentiating it from the Seoul metropolitan area.

He said, “The South Coast has a comparative advantage and potential compared to the metropolitan area,” adding, “On the first day of the new year, looking out over the South Coast, I thought this place could become not only the future of Gyeongnam but also the hope of the Republic of Korea.”

He continued, “I hope that through our joint efforts, Gyeongnam will stand ahead of other provinces and provide happiness to its residents, so that the people of the province can hold hope.”

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province (eighth from the left) and heads of departments and bureaus at the provincial office are welcoming the first sunrise of 2024.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Office]

In this regard, Gyeongnam Province plans to focus on promoting the tourism industry by enacting the South Coast Tourism Promotion Special Act and establishing a government-led South Coast Tourism Promotion Agency.

They plan to implement a southern region wide-area tourism development project worth 1.1 trillion won to eliminate tourism disparities within the region and secure competitiveness in the tourism industry.

In addition to jointly promoting the project to create the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Victory Sites Pilgrimage Trail with Busan and Jeonnam, construction of the long-stalled Gusan Marine Complex and Jangmok Tourism Complex is scheduled to begin in the second half of this year and next year, respectively.

They will also attract domestic and tourism investments by conducting investment attraction activities such as consulting for private development investment sites and holding international investment briefings.

Tourism content themed around Jirisan Mountain and the Gaya Tumuli Historic Site will be developed, along with customized tourism products targeting countries such as China, Taiwan, and Japan.

Furthermore, this year, the largest national project includes the construction of Jinhae New Port and the development of the hinterland complex of Jinhae-gu’s new port. The opening of the container terminal at Busan New Port, the first fully automated port in Korea, will usher in the era of smart ports.

Construction of the South Coast Island Highway connecting Yeosu, Namhae, Tongyeong, Geoje, and Busan, as well as the key road network of National Route 5, will also be actively pursued.

After offering flowers and incense, Governor Park left a message in the memorial book saying, “In 2024, the Year of Gapjin, I will open a new era of hope in Gyeongnam together with the residents.”