Overcoming Regional Decline
Advancing Toward a "Bright Future"
The journey of the 8th popularly elected administration of Hapcheon County, which began with the vision of "A hopeful future for Hapcheon, together with the residents," is now concluding its third year.
Thanks to the active cooperation of many residents and the efforts of over 800 public officials led by County Governor Yuncheol Kim, Hapcheon County has achieved remarkable results in various fields. Building on this foundation, the county has designated this year as the "Year of Renewing Hapcheon and Empowering Its People," striving to transform Hapcheon into an even more vibrant and livable place.
Let us look back at the changes that have taken place in Hapcheon County over the past three years and explore its future direction, focusing on the five regions?Central, East, West, South, and North?outlined in Hapcheon County’s mid- to long-term comprehensive development plan.
◆ Central Region: 'Hapcheon at the Center of Happiness'?Designing the Future and Quality of Life Together
Hapcheon-eup, the administrative, economic, and educational hub of Hapcheon County, is actively working to improve residential conditions and build urban infrastructure that ensures happiness for all generations, from youth to seniors.
The Happy Housing Project for Youth and Newlyweds, which broke ground in April, is being constructed with a total budget of 13.3 billion KRW. It will consist of 20 units for young people and 10 units for newlyweds, totaling 30 units. Applications for residency will open in December, with move-in scheduled for June next year.
Additionally, the construction of 30 public rental housing units for youth in the area of 1527 Hapcheon-ri, as well as the recent selection for the Gyeongnam Province-led "Youth Job-Linked Housing Support Project," will allow for 30 more units to be built. This will create a youth cluster of 90 households in the area.
Furthermore, the welfare housing for seniors, consisting of 116 units at 337 Hapcheon-ri, is being developed as an integrated public rental housing project to improve residential welfare for seniors. This project aims to resolve housing issues for low-income residents and provide stable, comfortable living conditions. As a result, Hapcheon-eup will offer residential spaces that blend all generations, invigorating the community. In addition, the county is making every effort to improve the childcare environment, with plans to construct a childcare support center by June next year at a total cost of 7.96 billion KRW.
In March, the county was selected for the Public Land Reserve Project, which is expected to accelerate the development of the Hapcheon-eup station area new town and usher in the era of future railways.
To meet residents’ needs for a healthy lifestyle, the county is nearing completion of a multipurpose gymnasium in the area of 925 Hapcheon-ri, with a total budget of 17 billion KRW. At the same time, a pedestrian bridge is planned, with a budget of 3.5 billion KRW, to connect the existing Hapcheon Gymnasium and the new multipurpose gymnasium for smooth access.
Moreover, to further establish Hapcheon as the "Mecca of Sports," the county aims to create park golf courses in each region, targeting a total of 225 holes, thereby promoting park golf as a popular sport enjoyed by all generations.
◆ Eastern Region: Opportunities from the Sky, Soaring into the Future
The Eastern Region, centered on Chogye-myeon and including Deokgok-myeon, Ssangchaek-myeon, Yulgok-myeon, Jeokjung-myeon, and Cheongdeok-myeon, is preparing to emerge as a global center for tourism, leveraging its meteorite heritage.
The Eastern Region, home to the first meteorite impact crater on the Korean Peninsula, is developing the Hapcheon Meteorite Crater Global Geopark Theme Park, transforming it into a world-class tourist destination. This strategy preserves the geological value of the meteorite crater and establishes the nation’s first theme park of its kind, combining education and tourism.
In addition, the establishment of a smart museum in Ssangchaek-myeon will enhance the value of the Okjeon Ancient Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and offer an opportunity to reflect on the proud history of the Dara Kingdom in the region.
Meanwhile, the Jeokjung-myeon Superior Cow Embryo Transplantation Center is expected to drive innovation in the livestock industry and foster high-quality brands. The natural disaster risk improvement project in three districts of Cheongdeok-myeon (Jilmae, Gahyeon, Migok) is a large-scale project with a total budget exceeding 100 billion KRW, and its completion this year will enable residents to live in a safer environment. In Deokgok-myeon, efforts are underway to improve residential conditions by developing a basic living hub in the Yulji-ri area. Lastly, a golf course is being planned in the Yuljin-ri area of Yulgok-myeon, utilizing its proximity to the station area. With these developments, the Eastern Region is set to become a hub where tourism, leisure, and culture converge.
◆ Western Region: 'Two-Track' Strategy for Agricultural Innovation and Tourism Resource Activation
The Western Region, comprising Bongsan-myeon, Yongju-myeon, and Daebyeong-myeon, plans to invigorate the area through a two-track strategy that simultaneously promotes agriculture and tourism resources.
To this end, a smart farm-linked return-to-farming and rural migration complex is being established in Wolpyeong-ri, Yongju-myeon, with a budget of 4.14 billion KRW. With the placement of a comprehensive scientific farming facility, Yongju-myeon is emerging as a center for future agricultural innovation.
Furthermore, Hapcheon Image Theme Park, a landmark of Hapcheon tourism, will be expanded with a budget of 8 billion KRW, continuing its reputation as Korea's top film shooting location. In Bongsan-myeon, an ecological trail of approximately 1.3 km is being developed around the Bongsan District of Hapcheon Lake. Alongside the project to create a nature stone museum trail in Daebyeong-myeon, these efforts will connect major tourist attractions and further develop the area around Hapcheon Lake as a tourism hub.
Meanwhile, Daebyeong-myeon, which has benefited from the opening of the Ulsan-Hamyang Expressway, is revitalizing the Hoeyang Tourism Complex Road, which was selected for a project to regenerate aging tourist sites, with a budget of 2 billion KRW. In addition, the Hapcheon Lake Water Tourism Platform Project, with a budget of 30.1 billion KRW, will transform the area into one of the nation’s premier lakeside tourist destinations.
◆ Southern Region: A New Discovery?A Place Where Nature, People, and Pets Rest Together
The Southern Region, consisting of Gahoe-myeon, Samga-myeon, Ssangbaek-myeon, and Daeyang-myeon, is poised to become a new tourist destination encompassing ecology, culture, and even pets. Hwangmaesan, renowned as the nation’s top site for royal azaleas and silver grass, will be developed into a year-round healing tourist destination and a green cultural experience zone. In addition to the educational role of the Jeongyang Wetland Ecology Learning Center, efforts are being made to promote eco-tourism through improvements to the ecological park.
Hapcheon Meong Stay, which has become a must-visit destination for pet families within just two years of opening, aims to differentiate itself as a friendly, integrated tourist site where people and pets can enjoy together.
Moreover, the Daeyang National Sports Center, built with a budget of 5.5 billion KRW, has become a venue for community welfare, promoting the health and happiness of local residents. Most notably, the Southern Region was selected in May for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Rural Agreement Project, which will invest a total of 42 billion KRW over the next five years, bringing transformative changes and new vitality to underdeveloped areas.
◆ Northern Region: A Green Leisure Belt Where Nature and Energy Coexist
The Northern Region, comprising Gayamyeon, Yaromyeon, and Myosan-myeon, is being transformed into a space for eco-friendly energy and healing. With the confirmation of the Dumusan Pumped Storage Power Plant in Myosan-myeon, the area is emerging as a core hub for eco-friendly energy transition. The additional attraction of the Odosan Pumped Storage Power Plant will establish the region as the nation’s largest and first twin pumped storage power plant.
The creation of the Dumusan Natural Recreation Forest and Workation Complex will highlight the Northern Region’s beautiful natural environment, making it a notable healing destination for those seeking an escape from the city. Landscape improvements and road upgrades in Yaromyeon will provide convenience for tourists visiting Haeinsa, Hapcheon’s most famous attraction. Additionally, a new road will be built between the entrance of Sorigil and Gayamarket with a budget of 1 billion KRW, naturally guiding visitors from Sorigil to Gayamarket and revitalizing the local economy.
Meanwhile, a rural space improvement project is underway in the Sachon District of Gayamyeon with a budget of 16.7 billion KRW. In Yaromyeon’s Habin 1 District, 12.5 billion KRW has been allocated, and 12.64 billion KRW has been confirmed for the Ungi District of Myosan-myeon, all expected to significantly improve residential environments in the northern area.
In this way, the 8th popularly elected Hapcheon County administration has sought balanced development in various fields?including administration, economy, tourism, energy, and housing?based on the unique characteristics and potential of each region. Through these efforts, the county has directly confronted the nationwide challenge of regional extinction and made meaningful progress in improving residential conditions, developing tourism resources, and transitioning to future-oriented agriculture.
County Governor Yuncheol Kim stated, "Hapcheon now stands on the threshold of a new leap and great transformation. With residents at the center designing the future, Hapcheon will soon rise as a leading model for local policy in Korea." This is why the final year of the 8th administration, led by Yuncheol Kim and Hapcheon County, is so highly anticipated.
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