Yeoju Holds Citizen Resolution Rally to Present Its Vision
Yeoju Takes a Major First Step Toward Becoming a Tourism City
Opening of Namhangang Suspension Bridge and Expansion of Tourism Infrastructure
Gyeonggi Province's Yeoju City, which has designated 2025 as the inaugural year for its leap into a tourism city, has announced significant changes.
Yeoju Mayor Lee Chung-woo held a temporary opening ceremony for the 'Namhangang Suspension Bridge' on the 3rd and walked across the suspension bridge with citizens. Photo by Lee Jong-gu
On the 3rd, Yeoju held a '2025 Yeoju Tourism Inaugural Year' citizen resolution rally at the Yeoju Women's Hall Grand Theater, where a vision aiming to attract 6 million tourists annually was declared.
About 500 people attended the event, including Mayor Lee Chung-woo, City Council Chairman Park Doo-hyung, provincial and city council members, heads of related organizations and social groups, and tourism industry workers, collectively envisioning the future of Yeoju as a tourism city.
In particular, five representatives from citizens and the tourism industry stepped forward to read a resolution, expressing their commitment to making Yeoju a tourism city.
The 'Namhangang Suspension Bridge,' scheduled to open on May 1, is a key infrastructure for revitalizing tourism in Yeoju. It is a pedestrian-only suspension bridge connecting Silleuksa Temple and Geumeunmorae Amusement Park, with a total length of 515 meters, a width of 2.5 meters, and a height of 35 meters. Constructed with 33.2 billion KRW from the Gyeonggi Province Regional Balanced Development Project fund, this bridge is expected to serve as a catalyst for local tourism revitalization.
At the '2025 Yeoju Tourism Inaugural Year' Citizens' Resolution Rally held on the 3rd at the Yeoju Women's Hall Grand Theater, five representatives of citizens and tourism industry workers stood up to read the resolution. Photo by Lee Jong-gu
Mayor Lee Chung-woo of Yeoju emphasized, "It will become a new landmark connecting Silleuksa Temple and Geumeunmorae Amusement Park," adding, "Once the Namhangang Suspension Bridge opens, it is expected that millions of tourists will visit annually."
To encourage stay-type tourism through the creation of distinctive tourism zones, the city plans to develop unique tourism areas on both the southern and northern ends centered around the suspension bridge.
The southern end, where Geumeunmorae Park is located, will transform into a hub for leisure and accommodation facilities. In particular, by attracting private capital to promote the construction of condominiums and theme parks, the city aims to encourage stay-type tourism.
On the other hand, the northern area will be developed as a traditional culture hub connected to the Silleuksa Temple tourist site. Visitors will be able to experience the historical value of Silleuksa while enjoying various cultural experience programs.
Mayor Lee Chung-woo of Yeoju and citizens are holding the "2025 Yeoju Tourism Founding Year" citizen resolution rally on the 3rd at the Yeoju Women's Hall Grand Performance Hall. Photo by Lee Jong-gu
Expansion of benefits for tourists and promotion of visitor inflow
Various benefits have also been prepared to promote tourist inflow. Yeoju Yeongneung (英陵) and Yeongneung (寧陵), the tombs of King Sejong the Great and King Hyojong, will be open free of charge throughout May, and the Yeoju Municipal Phone Museum will offer free admission until the end of November.
Additionally, collaboration with nearby accommodations, restaurants, and cafes will provide discount coupons linked to portal sites. Promotional strategies utilizing popular online bloggers and influencers will also be actively implemented.
The expectations of Yeoju citizens are also rising.
At the site ahead of the opening of the Namhangang Suspension Bridge, Mr. Lim Kyu-ho (49) said, "A new landmark has been born in Yeoju," adding, "I hope many people will visit once it officially opens and experience the charm of Yeoju."
Lee Chung-woo, Mayor of Yeoju, is delivering a greeting at the '2025 Yeoju Tourism Inaugural Year' Citizens' Resolution Rally held on the 3rd at the Yeoju Women's Hall Grand Theater. Photo by Lee Jong-gu
Mr. Lee Yoo-sik, chairman of the Yeoju Village Leaders Association, said, "Through today's resolution rally, all citizens were able to reaffirm their commitment to helping Yeoju leap forward as a tourism city," adding, "With the expansion of tourism infrastructure such as the Four Major Rivers Project Memorial Tower, Traveler Center, and Suspension Bridge, Yeoju tourism is expected to develop further."
Mayor Lee Chung-woo stated, "We will actively utilize the beautiful natural scenery of Gangcheon Island and Dangnam-ri Island to provide families with a relaxing time," and expressed his ambition, "With a goal of attracting 6 million tourists, we will elevate Yeoju to become a representative tourism city in South Korea."
In 2025, Yeoju is no longer just a simple historical and cultural tourist site. Through the establishment of new landmarks and expansion of stay-type tourism infrastructure, it is fully prepared to attract domestic and international tourists as a 'tourism city.' On May 1, the Namhangang Suspension Bridge will take the first step toward opening Yeoju's future.
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