A Place Where Taste and Stories Coexist
Exchange of Local Residents' Opinions
Reborn as a Comprehensive Food Tourism Destination
Efforts to Offer Fun and Interest to Visitors
Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju, is inspecting the Hongstar sculpture installed in Namdo Food Street. Photo by Naju City
Naju City in South Jeolla Province is welcoming visitors to the newly renovated Yeongsanpo Skate Street, now rebranded as "Namdo Food Street," which preserves the 600-year-old tradition of aged skate.
From March to May 2024, Naju City collected feedback from local residents and invested a total project budget of 1 billion KRW (500 million KRW from the provincial government and 500 million KRW from the city) to transform the Yeongsanpo Skate Street area into a comprehensive food tourism destination that combines cuisine, culture, and rest areas.
To commemorate the completion of the project, the city held the "Namdo Food Street Completion Ceremony" on June 5 at the public parking lot stage on Yeongsanpo Skate Street.
The event was attended by over 100 people, including Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju, city council members, provincial council members, the head of the Food and Drug Division of South Jeolla Province, the Skate Association, the Yeongsanpo Development Council, heads of local organizations, and residents, who celebrated the project's achievements together.
The Skate Association presented plaques of appreciation to Kim Yungrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, and Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju, for their active support in creating Namdo Food Street.
This project is particularly meaningful as it was carried out based on the voluntary participation of local merchants and the creation of a culture of mutual growth.
In November last year, eight restaurants within Skate Street signed a voluntary commitment that included operating a street beautification day, conducting regular water cleaning, using hygienic packaging boxes, providing friendly service, and complying with origin labeling requirements.
During the ceremony, merchants also read out the pledge, reaffirming their commitment to these practices and sharing the vision for the street's sustainability as a food tourism destination with citizens.
This project is a cultural tourism initiative that reflects the history and tradition of Yeongsanpo aged skate, incorporating local residents' opinions to produce and install public facilities and enhance the project's quality through design consulting.
Major facilities include a comprehensive storytelling information board for Skate Street, an entrance symbol character "Hongstar," a photo zone featuring the Skate Samhap Band characters, themed rest areas (art wall, pockets, shade structures), street murals, and tree guards for street trees, transforming the area into a place where both citizens and tourists want to spend time.
In particular, the "Hongstar" character at the entrance will serve as the main mascot representing Yeongsanpo and will be actively used in future marketing efforts to promote Namdo Food Street and the premium branding of skate.
"Hongstar" is a band-themed character based on aged skate, consisting of Hongstar (skate), who is both the vocalist and leader; Dondoni (pork), who plays the keyboard; Chuchu (baechu kimchi), who is the drummer; and Liri (Makgeolli), who is the guitarist.
With witty storytelling added to the concept of Skate Samhap, these characters are expected to provide interest and fun for visiting families.
Mayor Yoon Byungtae stated, "Another meaningful milestone has been established in Yeongsanpo, the home of 600 years of aged skate, with the creation of Namdo Food Street. Alongside the premium skate branding project, we will strengthen recipe development and brand promotion to cultivate this area as Korea's leading food street, where everyone can enjoy delicious food without hesitation."
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