Chungnam Hwanhwanghae Administrative Council Holds Regular Meeting in Taean

Discussion on Joint Proposal for National Acquisition of Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo and More

The scene of the "Chungcheongnam-do Pan-Yellow Sea Administrative Council 2024 Regular Meeting" held on the 16th at the Taean County Office conference room. From the left in the photo: Lee Wanseop, Mayor of Seosan; Kim Dongil, Mayor of Boryeong; Ga Sero, Governor of Taean County; Oh Seonghwan, Mayor of Dangjin; Jo Gwanghui, Deputy Governor of Hongseong. /Taean County

Taean County, Chungnam Province, announced on the 16th that it held the “2024 Annual Meeting of the West Coast Yellow Sea Rim Administrative Council” at the county office's main conference room. The meeting was attended by Taean County Mayor Ga Se-ro, Boryeong Mayor Kim Dongil, Seosan Mayor Lee Wan-seop, Dangjin Mayor Oh Seonghwan, and Hongseong Deputy County Mayor Cho Gwanghee.

The six cities and counties sharing the West Coast discussed three major agenda items, including “Proposal to establish a fisheries cooperative auction house in Cheonsuman (Hongseong),” as well as nine promotional and cooperative matters related to local festivals and events for each municipality.

Taean County drew significant attention by proposing the “Joint Proposal for National Acquisition of Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo, the Territorial Sea Base Point.” This agenda aims for comprehensive and systematic management of Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo, which serves as a base point for Korea’s territorial sea and is designated as a “nationally managed coastal port” and a “specific island.”

Ga Se-ro, who serves as the council chair, stated, “We will propose to the Ministry of Environment the national acquisition of private lands on East and West Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo so that Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo, as a territorial sea base point and nationally managed coastal port, can be preserved under systematic and comprehensive management as a national asset.”

Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo, known as the “Island of Taean,” was designated as a nationally managed coastal port in July 2022 thanks to the active efforts of Taean County and its residents.

To promote the marine and ecological tourism resources of Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo, the county enacted the “Ordinance on Enhancing the Value of Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo in Taean County” in May and designated July 4 as “Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo Day,” holding a proclamation ceremony as part of its multifaceted efforts.

Ga Se-ro, Mayor of Taean County, said, “In August, I personally visited the Ministry of Environment to propose the acquisition of private land on Gyeokryeolbiyeoldo, and considering its status as a key geographical point in Chungnam, the six cities and counties will join forces going forward. We will seek in-depth development of the Yellow Sea Rim region and actively respond to joint challenges, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the region.”

Meanwhile, the West Coast Yellow Sea Rim Administrative Council was established in 2015 to promote mutual cooperation in various fields such as industry, marine and fisheries, culture and tourism, and road and transportation in the Yellow Sea Rim region. Currently, six local governments are members: Taean, Boryeong, Seosan, Dangjin, Seocheon, and Hongseong.