Yangyang Residents Urge Swift Promotion of Seoraksan Osaek Cable Car Project

Survey of Residents on Next Year's Budget Investment Projects
Selected as the Top Priority Project Along with Yangyang International Airport Revitalization

Residents of Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, identified the "activation of Yangyang International Airport" and the "installation project of Seoraksan Osaek Cable Car" as the top priority projects for budget investment next year.

The route map of the Seoraksan Osaek Cable Car, conditionally approved by the Ministry of Environment on February 27 last year [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, Yangyang-gun announced that these results came from a 2025 budget formulation survey conducted among residents to ensure their participation in the budgeting process.

To reflect residents' opinions in next year's budget formulation, enhance transparency and efficiency of local finances, and use the data as a basis for policy-making, Yangyang-gun conducted a survey from August 1 to August 31 targeting residents aged 18 and older on a total of 13 items. The survey was conducted via phone and the county office website, with 509 residents participating.

The appearance of Yangyang International Airport, where international flights recently resumed, on August 7.

According to the survey results, the sector prioritized for investment was tourism, culture, arts, and sports (36%), followed by regional and urban development (17.9%), social welfare and health (14%), and industrial sectors such as business attraction (12.1%). Disaster and safety, as well as road and transportation sectors, accounted for similar proportions of 6-7% each.

Furthermore, the most important project for future development was overwhelmingly "activation of local tourism including culture and leisure and strengthening marketing" (40.7%). This reflects expectations for regional economic revitalization through expanding infrastructure in tourism, culture, and sports sectors that leverage local characteristics to increase visitors and create jobs.

Among current priority projects in Yangyang-gun, the activation of Yangyang International Airport (29%) held the highest share, followed by the installation project of Seoraksan Osaek Cable Car (21.5%). Urban development projects (17.7%) and surfing industry activation (15%) followed. For reference, last year’s survey showed the Osaek Cable Car installation project at 28.4% and Yangyang International Airport activation at 24.7%.

Residents show the greatest interest in regional development through the installation of the Seoraksan Osaek Cable Car and the activation of Yangyang International Airport. Therefore, continuous cooperation is needed to promote the activation of Yangyang International Airport and to ensure thorough progress in the currently well-advancing Osaek Cable Car installation project.

The results of the 2025 budget formulation survey are scheduled to be posted on the Yangyang-gun office website in September.

A county official stated, “We will strive for efficient budget formulation within the scope of available resources and secure transfer funds to maintain sound fiscal management.”