Expectations for Revitalizing the Economy and Tourism Industry
Boseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Kim Cheolwoo) held the 'Boseong~Mokpo Railway Construction Project Opening Ceremony' at Sinboseong Station on the 26th.
The event was attended by Kim Cheolwoo, Governor of Boseong County; Kang Heeup, Second Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Kim Yungrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province; Moon Geumjoo, Assemblyman from the Democratic Party of Korea; Lee Seonghae, President of the National Railroad Corporation; Jeong Jeongrae, Vice President of Korea Railroad Corporation; as well as vice governors and vice mayors from various cities and counties, provincial and county council members, and around 200 local residents, all celebrating the opening.
On the 26th, a performance celebrating the 'Boseong~Mokpo Railway Construction Project Opening Ceremony' was held at Sinboseong Station. Provided by Boseong County
This opening is regarded as the fulfillment of a long-standing wish of local residents and a symbolic achievement of a national social overhead capital (SOC) innovation project, accelerating balanced regional development by expanding the transportation network along the southern coast.
The 'Boseong~Imseongri Railway' construction project is a large-scale national project with a total investment of 1.6459 trillion won, coming to fruition 23 years after breaking ground in 2002.
Seven stations were newly built or renovated along the 82.5-kilometer section from Boseong to Mokpo. With the opening, travel time between Boseong and Mokpo will be reduced by 73 minutes, from 2 hours and 16 minutes to 1 hour and 3 minutes.
To prevent confusion between Sinboseong Station and the existing Boseong Station, the county will operate a shuttle bus and establish a clear guidance system both inside and outside the stations.
Additionally, a tourist information center will be set up to provide information on transportation, accommodation, and tourist attractions. At Sinboseong Station, which will operate as an unmanned station, safety assistants connected to senior employment programs will be deployed to ensure convenience for railway users.
This opening is expected to bring significant changes to the revitalization of the local economy and the development of the tourism industry. As key tourist destinations such as the Boseong Tea Fields, Beolgyo Mudflats, and Yulpo Pine Beach are now more accessible from the Seoul metropolitan area and the Yeongnam region, the overall economic ripple effect in accommodation, dining, and transportation is anticipated. Furthermore, with the completion of a new railway axis connecting the Yeongnam and Honam regions, it is expected to serve as a model case for balanced national development.
Governor Kim Cheolwoo stated, "The opening of the Namhae Line is a long-awaited project for the people of Boseong and a turning point for Boseong to become the center of tourism along the southern coast. Just as opening the railway opens new roads and new opportunities, Boseong will now grow into a leading tourism and economic hub representing South Korea."
Meanwhile, the county is actively proposing the early commencement of the 'Gwangju Songjeong~Suncheon Railway Electrification Project' in light of this opening. Once this section is completed, it will be possible to travel from Mokpo through Boseong to Busan in 2 hours, and from Boseong to Seoul in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, establishing a nationwide half-day living zone. Boseong is thus expected to be reborn as a key transportation hub on South Korea's southern coast, integrating both railways and tourism.
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