Creating a Sea of Survival with Young Haenyeo
Promoting New Vitality at Gupyeong Port
On the 13th, Pohang City announced that the basic plan for the ‘Gupyeong Area Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project’ has been conditionally approved through the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Deliberation and Coordination Committee.
The Gupyeong Area Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project is a key initiative by Pohang City aimed at improving the living and economic environment of fishing villages in Gupyeong Port (1-ri and 2-ri), Guryongpo-eup, and Gupyeong 3-ri, and revitalizing the fishing village economy by encouraging new residents to settle in the fishing villages.
In 2022, the city selected the joint project partner ‘Seed Dream’ (CEO Shin Baeseong) as the anchor organization, and the project was selected in the 2023 Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries public contest. A total budget of 10 billion KRW, including 7 billion KRW in national funds, will be invested in the Gupyeong Area Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project by 2026.
The approved basic plan sets the vision as ‘Young Haenyeo, the Sea of Survival at Gupyeong Port,’ focusing on establishing a fishing village station and community in Gupyeong Port, the center of Pohang Guryongpo, which has the largest and best haenyeo population in Gyeongsangbuk-do.
The city, together with the anchor organization Seed Dream and Urban Space Eum, which was responsible for establishing the master plan, has completed the ‘Spatial Environment Master Plan’ containing an integrated basic plan. Last month, the basic plan received conditional approval from the Deliberation and Coordination Committee, giving momentum to the project’s progress.
With the goal of completing the project by 2026, the city plans to actively promote social innovation programs and various unit projects through the creation of physical spaces such as a young haenyeo hub-type fishing village station and village alley renovation projects.
The anchor organization Seed Dream held the ‘Gupyeongri Port Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project Development Forum’ in December last year. The forum, attended by over 50 participants including experts in fishing villages, economy, culture, and design, Pohang City public architects, local residents, and linker organizations, consisted of three sessions. It received great responses by securing content feasibility that reflects local characteristics, generating mid- to long-term development ideas, and devising concrete implementation plans.
A Pohang City official stated, “We will improve the residential environment and create a living platform for sustainable development of fishing villages to attract young populations and enhance the lives of local residents.” He added, “We ask for the continued interest and cooperation of local residents and experts from various fields.”
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