Yeongju City Selected as Final Winner of "Good Morning! Gwansagol, Local Branding Activation Support Project"

Selected as Final Winner in Planning and Design Category
Revitalization of the Original Downtown Area Anticipated

Yeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province has been selected as the final winner in the planning and design category of the "2025 Local Branding Activation Support Project for Living Zones," organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Following this selection, the city plans to invest a total budget of 600 million KRW, including a special grant of 300 million KRW, to actively implement the project.

This public project aims to revitalize the original downtown area by discovering and utilizing the region's unique history, culture, and notable figures. It also seeks to establish a sustainable regional economic structure by increasing the resident population and attracting more young people.

Yeongju City has designated the Gwansagol area, which is rich in traces of modern life history, as the project site. Under the branding "Good Morning! Gwansagol," the city proposed a project plan that centers on morning tourism culture as its core content. After document review, on-site inspection, and presentation evaluation, the project was highly rated for its feasibility and viability, resulting in its final selection.

This project goes beyond simply improving the local landscape. It focuses on redefining the city's identity based on Gwansagol's unique assets and atmosphere, and aims to create a sustainable cultural tourism destination in collaboration with residents.

Through branding that highlights Gwansagol's local characteristics?such as its scenery blending the traces of official residences with analog sensibilities and its topographical advantage of offering panoramic city views?the city plans to strengthen the identity of the area and lay the foundation for long-term development.

To this end, a master plan is being developed with the goal of establishing an integrated urban brand strategy. The plan involves connecting the key spots identified in the preliminary master plan, gradually expanding the budget through participation in higher-level public projects, and ultimately extending the city brand throughout all of Yeongju.

Initially, the secured special grant will be used to transform unused spaces within Gwansagol into key hubs, establishing spaces such as cafes, local select shops, and shared offices that can be used by both citizens and tourists. Subsequently, a residents' organization in Gwansagol will take the lead in operating various experiential programs under the theme "Morning in Yeongju," thereby realizing a locally driven branding initiative with community participation.

Through this project, the city expects to create a friendly urban tourist destination where tourists and local residents can come together, enhance the village's self-sufficiency, and inject new vitality into the local community.

Kwon Gihyuk, Director of Urban Affairs, stated, "We plan to transform the Gwansagol area into an attractive cultural village by leveraging our valuable local assets," adding, "We will not only elevate the historical dignity of Gwansagol, but also bring new energy to the region through local branding created together with residents."

View of Gwansagol.