Creation of Walking Trails and Rest Areas in Sucheol-ri, Punggi-eup by 2029
Transforming Abandoned Railway into Tourist Attraction to Boost Local Economy and Residents' Quality of Life
Yeongju City in Gyeongbuk is introducing a new regional development model that simultaneously attracts tourists and benefits residents by creating an eco-friendly walking trail and rest area using idle railway land.
The city’s “Yeongju City Abandoned Railway Tourism Resource Project” was finally selected in the “2024 Second Half Railway Idle Land Utilization Project” competition hosted by the Korea Rail Network Authority.
This project plans to develop an approximately 2 km section of idle railway land in Sucheol-ri, Punggi-eup (from the entrance of Jukryeong Tunnel to Punggi Oncheon Resort) into an eco-friendly walking trail, photo zones, a children’s train playground, and rest areas by 2029.
Mayor Nam-seo Park said, “This project will transform the neglected idle railway land into a space that residents and tourists can enjoy, contributing to revitalizing the local economy and improving residents’ quality of life. We will create a space that harmonizes with the nature of Punggi-eup to offer a special experience to tourists visiting Yeongju.”
The city plans to diversify local tourism resources, establish a new model for sustainable regional tourism, attract tourists, and promote local economic revitalization through this project.
The Railway Idle Land Utilization Project is a program to use state-owned idle railway land as resident-friendly spaces or to strengthen regional competitiveness. Selected projects receive a benefit of exemption from railway idle land usage fees for up to 20 years.
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