"Chiaksan is a Shared Resource of Hoengseong and Wonju... Opposing Exclusive Regional Symbol"

Hoengseong Love Committee Issues Statement Opposing Renaming of Socho-myeon in Wonju to "Chiaksan-myeon"

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Hoengseong-gun (Governor Kim Myung-gi) announced on the 4th that the Hoengseong Love Committee issued a statement opposing the name change of ‘Chiaksan-myeon’ in Socho-myeon, Wonju-si on the same day.

The Hoengseong Love Committee of Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, issued a statement on the 4th opposing the name change of 'Chiaksan-myeon' in Socho-myeon, Wonju-si. Photo by Hoengseong County Office

This statement expresses the position of Hoengseong residents regarding the controversy over regional identity and symbolism amid escalating conflicts between Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun, which share Chiaksan National Park as an administrative district.

In the statement, the Hoengseong Love Committee emphasized, “Chiaksan is a shared asset encompassing both Wonju and Hoengseong, and it is inappropriate for a specific area to monopolize the name,” adding, “The name change of Socho-myeon risks damaging the identity of Hoengseong residents and the historical and cultural value of Chiaksan.”

They particularly pointed out that Chiaksan is a precious asset inseparably linked to Hoengseong-gun and deeply rooted in the lives and identity of Hoengseong residents, and that changing the name would exacerbate conflicts between regions.

Park Myung-seo, chairman of the Hoengseong Love Committee, stated, “Chiaksan is an important heritage for both Hoengseong and Wonju, and there can be no attempt by one side to monopolize it,” adding, “We firmly oppose the name change and will spare no effort to protect the value of Chiaksan.”