Park Nam-seo, Mayor of Yeongju City, "Developing Tourist Sites Staying at Sobaeksan"... 1.705㎢ of Park Zone Released

Research Service Kick-off Meeting Held

Yeongju City in Gyeongbuk Province is focusing on developing tourism content utilizing Sobaeksan Mountain on the 20th. The plan is to establish Sobaeksan as a so-called 'ecotourism hub.'

According to Yeongju City, last year, 1.705㎢ of the Sobaeksan National Park area in Yeongju was removed from the park zone, laying the foundation for developing tourism content for Sobaeksan. The city plans to equip the released area with mountain tourism convenience facilities and restore the former reputation of 'Yeongju Sobaeksan.'

Sobaeksan viewed from Yeongju city center.

On the 19th, Yeongju City held a 'Research Project Kick-off Meeting for Revitalization Plans around Sobaeksan National Park' at the City Hall's first conference room.

Presided over by Mayor Park Nam-seo of Yeongju, the meeting began with a report from the Korea Local Economy Research Institute, followed by a Q&A session with related department heads and discussions among attendees.

This project will conduct a comprehensive basic development plan, including analysis of the current status and conditions of the project site, review of potential facilities such as food villages and accommodations, and feasibility studies. In particular, it will focus on a thorough analysis of regional conditions, including historical and cultural resources, the possibility of linking with higher-level plans, anticipated issues, and countermeasures.

Yeongju City is accelerating tourism development projects utilizing the natural tourism resource of Sobaeksan by promoting projects such as creating the Samgari Fox Rest Area, installing a Sobaeksan cable car, and expanding the landscape of Sobaeksan maple trees.

Mayor Park Nam-seo of Yeongju said, "As a result of efforts made together with citizens, the park zone was released more than originally planned, allowing citizens greater freedom to exercise property rights," adding, "We will do our best to revitalize the local economy by newly developing the area around Sobaeksan into a tourism destination where visitors can stay, with various plans such as rest facilities, food villages, and experience facilities."

Sunrise view at Birobong Peak, Sobaeksan, Yeongju

Among the areas released from Sobaeksan National Park announced by the Ministry of Environment in May last year, the Yeongju area was initially 0.19㎢ but was significantly expanded to 1.705㎢ following continuous demands from local residents. Yeongju City has held public hearings to resolve residents' inconveniences within the park zone and has urged related government agencies, including the National Assembly and the Ministry of Environment, to lift the park plan.