[Interview] Jang Cheolwoong, Deputy Mayor of Andong... 'Combining Traditional Assets and Innovative Strategies' Is Andong's Path

"Future Strategies for Andong:
Turning Crisis into Opportunity with
300,000 Residents and 10 Million Tourists"

The Seoul and metropolitan area policy and tourism press corps visited Andong for a one-night, two-day trip starting on the 22nd. The journalists toured the Korea Culture Theme Park, Andong International Convention Center, and Seonseonghyeon Cultural Complex, where they met Jang Cheolwoong, Deputy Mayor of Andong, to discuss the city’s key issues and strategies.

Jang Cheolwoong, Deputy Mayor of Andong, Gyeongbuk, is responding to an interview.

◆ "Envisioning a Future City with Three Pillars"

Deputy Mayor Jang outlined Andong’s five-year blueprint based on three pillars: safety, new growth, and cultural tourism.

First, the city aims to become a resilient city strong against disasters, learning from recent wildfire damage. Efforts will go beyond simple restoration to include ecological recovery, community rebuilding, and economic revitalization.

Second, the focus is on strengthening new growth engines and residential infrastructure. Key population policies include academic encouragement grants, public rental housing, and all-care centers to help young people settle in the city.

Third, Andong has declared a renewed leap in culture and tourism. With its designation as a cultural city in 2024 and selection as an East Asian Cultural City in 2026, Andong is preparing to become a global cultural hub.

His ambition is clear: "We will open an era with a resident population of 300,000, an economically active population of 500,000, and 10 million tourists to create a sustainable Andong."

◆ Convention Center and Confucian Culture Zone, the MICE Hub of Northern Gyeongbuk

The Andong International Convention Center, the only large-scale convention facility in northern Gyeongbuk, features a main conference hall with 2,000 seats and 13 meeting rooms. Since its opening, it has hosted major events such as the Humanities Value Forum and the World Association of Educational Cities General Assembly, establishing itself as a MICE hub for the northern region.

With the opening of the World Confucian Scholar Culture Park and the Korea Culture Theme Park, Andong is transforming into a "stay-over tourism city."

◆ Youth Influx and Population Policy: "Andong, the City to Return To"

Addressing the outflow of young people and the aging population, Deputy Mayor Jang emphasized, "Andong’s future depends on whether young people can settle here." The city is promoting the establishment of the Andong Youth Hope Center, a comprehensive youth platform, and is also developing a public postpartum care center and the Eunhasu Land playground for infants and young children.

◆ Mask Dance Festival Expands to the Global Stage

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival, opening on September 26, will feature Italy as the guest country and collaborate with the Venice Carnival. The city plans to significantly increase the number of international performance troupes and invite diplomatic missions in Korea to enhance global promotion.

This year’s goal is to attract 1.6 million tourists. The festival venue will be expanded to the old Andong Station and the original downtown area to encourage longer stays and boost local businesses directly.

◆ World Heritage and IMACO, Global Hub Assets

Andong possesses all three major categories of World Heritage. Hahoe Village, Bongjeongsa Temple, Dosan and Byeongsan Confucian Academies, Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori (mask dance), and Confucian printing woodblocks are internationally recognized cultural assets.

Additionally, the International Mask Arts & Culture Organization (IMACO), founded in Andong in 2006, now includes 200 organizations from 63 countries, serving as a global hub for mask culture exchange.

◆ "Safety and Youth, the Two Pillars of My Vision"

Deputy Mayor Jang stated, "As recent wildfires have shown, safety is the foundation of a city’s survival, and youth are its future. We will turn crises into opportunities and build an Andong where young people have hope."

He also pledged to actively secure national funding by linking national projects such as disaster management innovation and tourism hub development with Andong’s local issues through cooperation with Gyeongbuk Province and the central government.

Deputy Mayor Jang’s message was clear: the combination of traditional assets and innovative strategies is the path forward for Andong. Attention is focused on whether Andong, standing at the forefront of overcoming crises, can rise to become Korea’s leading cultural city beyond Gyeongbuk.

The Seoul and metropolitan area policy and tourism press corps visited Andong for a one-night, two-day trip starting on the 22nd.