Gokseong-gun Selected as Finalist in 'Regional Characteristics Preservation' Contest Project

Secured 1.8 Billion KRW for Town Center Revitalization Projects

Promoting Specialized Projects Including 'Saenghwal Ingu Majiso' (Living Population Welcome Center)

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 22nd that it has been finally selected for the 'Regional Characteristics Revitalization Contest Project' hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, securing a project budget of 1.8 billion KRW.

This contest project aims to enhance the attractiveness, self-sustainability, and competitiveness of regions by utilizing unique local resources. After a nationwide third-round evaluation, 10 regions were selected, with Gokseong-gun being the only one from Jeollanam-do to make the list.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

Notably, this project is the second phase of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's '2023 Living Area Unit Local Branding' initiative, and Gokseong-gun has achieved consecutive selections in both the first and second phases of the project.

Through the first local branding project, the county discovered regional characteristics and established a mid- to long-term specialization plan. With this specialization project, various policies will be promoted to revitalize the town center.

The main contents of the project include ▲establishing a 'Living Population Reception Center' to attract train village tourists to the town center ▲creating a 'Local Creative Studio' to support cultural experiences and prospective entrepreneurs ▲setting up a 'Pop-up Store' where shops can be piloted for up to one year with a monthly rent of 10,000 KRW ▲and a street landscape improvement project to create a walkable shopping district.

In addition, the county plans to concurrently promote the development of local tour programs and local product development projects utilizing regional specialties to revitalize the local economy and increase the influx of living population.

A county official said, "Through this project, visible changes in the town center can be felt," adding, "We will do our best to make our county’s branding project a model case for revitalizing regional characteristics and overcoming the crisis of local extinction."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr