Accelerating Efforts to Create a Welcoming Atmosphere at Yeongilman Port
with Popup Gardens, Promotional Towers, and Media Facades
Mayor Lee Kangdeok Proposes Yeongilman Port
as a Specialized Hub for the Arctic Shipping Route to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
On September 19, the city of Pohang, together with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, visited Pohang Yeongilman Port to conduct an on-site inspection of the accommodation cruise operations that the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will use as lodging for business leaders during the APEC Summit.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok of Pohang (left) and Minister Jeon Jaesu of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries conducting an on-site inspection of APEC accommodation cruise operations. Photo by Pohang City
Mayor Lee Kangdeok of Pohang, Minister Jeon Jaesu of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Kim Ilman, Chairman of the Pohang City Council, and Choi Youngsook, Director of the East Sea Regional Headquarters of North Gyeongsang Province, participated in the inspection. They closely examined the current status of the accommodation cruise operations, the movement routes for guests, the immigration terminal, and the cruise berths.
The Pohang Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries plans to separate Berth 1 and Berths 2 to 4 at the Yeongilman Port container terminal, distinguishing the shuttle bus routes for cruise guests from the routes for cargo transport vehicles.
The city of Pohang will completely refurbish the streetscape from Yeongilman-daero, the main port access road, through the port hinterland road to the port entrance. In addition, a popup garden and promotional tower will be installed to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Furthermore, to ensure safety during nighttime movement within the port, the city plans to install guiding lights and a large media facade displaying various videos, offering visitors a glimpse of Pohang's attractions.
Minister Jeon Jaesu of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "I am grateful to North Gyeongsang Province and the city of Pohang for their active support of the APEC Summit, a national event. As Yeongilman Port is a national trade port, please ensure thorough port security while also preparing so that business leaders using the accommodation cruise can move without any inconvenience."
During his visit to Yeongilman Port, Mayor Lee Kangdeok highlighted the port's strengths as a logistics hub in the East Sea region and strongly advocated for its potential as a specialized hub port for the Arctic shipping route.
Since its opening in 2009, Yeongilman Port has grown into a logistics hub for the East Sea Rim region and a gateway port for the Arctic shipping route.
Pohang is the optimal location for establishing an "Arctic Shipping Information Center," as it not only offers these geographical advantages but also boasts scientific and geological analysis capabilities vital for safe Arctic navigation, including AI technology and satellite information, supported by institutions such as POSTECH, Handong Global University, the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, the Korea Institute of Robot and Convergence, and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "The city will provide full administrative support to ensure the successful operation of the nation's first maritime cruise hotel at Yeongilman Port during APEC," adding, "We will link the APEC Summit with local events to create a successful event in collaboration with civil society."
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