Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation to Launch 'Donghae Line Gourmet Tourism Route'... In Line with Pohang-Samcheok Railway Opening

With the opening of the Donghae Line railway section between Pohang and Samcheok (166.3km, 55 minutes) scheduled for December, the Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Organization (President Kim Namil) announced on the 8th that it is actively developing tourism products to revitalize tourism in the Gyeongbuk East Coast region.

The Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Organization is currently discussing with local governments, KORAIL, and the local travel industry the development of culinary tourism products, such as the "Haenyeo Lunchbox" featuring seasonal seafood harvested by haenyeo (female divers) from regions along the Donghae Line, including Pohang, Yeongdeok, and Uljin, as well as other food tours that showcase the gastronomy and charm of the region's ports.

Ahead of the opening of the Donghae Line, Kim Namil, President of the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation (right), and Choi Sunghyun, CEO of the Gangwon Tourism Foundation (left), are discussing joint sales strategies for East Coast tourism last June.

In addition, the organization is working with the Gangwon Tourism Organization to develop themed travel courses, such as healing tours of fishing villages linked to train travel and cycling routes along the coastal scenery, allowing visitors to trace the footsteps of the Eight Scenic Views of Gwandong and the Silla Hwarang warriors.

The Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Organization and the Gangwon Tourism Organization (CEO Choi Sunghyun) previously discussed the development of specialized products covering both regions and various areas of cooperation at a public marketing meeting held in June, taking the opening of the Donghae Line as a starting point.

Kim Namil, President of the Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Organization, emphasized, "Roads bring people together and create new cultures," adding, "The Donghae Line will go beyond transportation convenience to connect people, create new cultures, and act as a catalyst for increasing the residential population."

Kim further stated, "Through travel products encompassing history, nature, and humanities, we will inject new vitality into the tourism industry and economy of the Gyeongbuk East Coast."

Taking the opening of the Donghae Line as an opportunity, the Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Organization plans to strengthen cooperation with Gangwon Province and related organizations to usher in a new era of tourism based on the East Coast's pristine natural scenery and rich historical resources.

Not only will the Donghae Line offer fast and convenient access, but the variety of tourism content combined with it is expected to provide new ways to enjoy the nature and history of the Gyeongbuk East Coast through diverse tourism products.

Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation

Meanwhile, the Donghae Line electrification project involves electrifying both the Pohang?Samcheok section (166.3km) and the existing Samcheok?Donghae section (6.5km). Trains are scheduled to stop at a total of 18 stations: Pohang, Wolpo, Jangsa, Ganggu, Yeongdeok, Yeonghae, Byeonggok, Hupo, Pyeonghae, Giseong, Wonnam, Uljin, Jukbyeon, Bukmyeon, Wondeok, Imwon, Maewon, and Samcheok.