Accelerating Yulpo Port's Rise as the Marine Leisure Tourism Hub of the South Coast
Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 8th that Yulpo Port has been selected as a preliminary candidate for designation as a national fishing port by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Since 2015, the county has continuously petitioned the National Assembly and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to designate Yulpo Port as a national fishing port, which is the center of daily life and economy, so that it can become a sustainable future asset of the Republic of Korea.
However, in 2019, although two ports nationwide were selected in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' feasibility study for national fishing port designation, Yulpo Port unfortunately ranked third nationwide.
Although Yulpo Port is a local fishing port, it is moving beyond a simple fisheries support function to become a hub port for seafood production and marine tourism. Through infrastructure expansion such as breakwater facilities and the Hoecheon Seafood Wholesale Market, as well as environmental improvements, it aims to support fishing activities and increase fishermen's income, fostering it as an economic and cultural space in the fishing village area.
Selected by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in 2024, Yulpo Port was recognized for its infinite potential centered on the southern coast, including the frequency of fishing vessel use, number of port visitors, size of the hinterland population, and tourism infrastructure. It confirmed its potential to lead the future as a preliminary candidate for a national fishing port and is expected to be designated as a national fishing port after feasibility studies and basic plan establishment.
A total project cost of 44.5 billion KRW (100% national funding) will be invested to promote ▲construction of a new fishing gear storage warehouse ▲extension and expansion of the breakwater ▲improvement of calm water conditions within the port ▲installation of a groin, among other projects.
Yulpo Port, as a preliminary candidate for a national fishing port, is the first large-scale national project achievement realized together by National Assembly member Moon Geum-ju of Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin counties and Kim Cheol-woo, the governor of Boseong-gun. It is expected to play a significant role in creating a tourism complex multifunctional fishing port in connection with nearby cities and counties such as Goheung, Jangheung, and Gangjin, maximizing the value and potential of Yulpo Port.
Kim Cheol-woo, governor of Boseong-gun, said, “I am honored that Yulpo Port in Hoecheon-myeon has been selected as a preliminary candidate for new designation as a national fishing port for the first time in Boseong-gun,” adding, “Yulpo Port will become the cornerstone for a great leap forward over the next 100 years, revitalizing the regional economy of the southern central region of the southern coast and developing into a center for marine, fisheries, leisure, and tourism.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to start a feasibility study for the new designation of Yulpo Port as a national fishing port in the second half of this year and establish a comprehensive plan to contribute to regional economic revitalization through resident opinion collection and other measures.
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr
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