Full Commitment to Key Projects of the Eighth Administration:
2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo,
Creation of Garorim Bay Marine Ecological Park,
and Establishment of a Hydrogen City
Chungnam Province is accelerating its efforts to promote "Taean, the City of Healing and Ecology" to the world. On October 15, Governor Kim Taeheum visited Taean County and announced plans to transform Taean into a future-oriented, integrated hub for healing and tourism. This will be achieved through the successful hosting of the 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo, the creation of the Garorim Bay Marine Ecological Park, and the establishment of a hydrogen city infrastructure.
On this day, as part of his fourth-year tour of cities and counties during the eighth popularly-elected administration, Governor Kim visited Taean County to communicate directly with residents and share his vision for regional development.
During a town hall meeting with residents at the Taean Culture and Arts Center, Governor Kim emphasized, "Taean has the potential to become both a future growth hub of the Chungnam West Coast and the center of the healing industry." He further stated, "We will ensure the seamless implementation of key projects, including the 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo, the creation of the Garorim Bay Marine Ecological Park, the construction of the Taean-Anseong Expressway, and the establishment of a hydrogen city."
The Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo, themed "A Healthy Future Found in Nature: Horticulture & Healing," will be held across the Anmyeondo area from April 25 to May 24, 2026.
The province anticipates that 1.82 million visitors from 40 countries will attend, and is preparing the event as a global festival linking horticulture and the healing industry.
Governor Kim stated, "This expo will serve as a catalyst for Taean to emerge as a global city for leisure and healing."
Meanwhile, the Garorim Bay Marine Ecological Park project did not pass the Ministry of Economy and Finance's feasibility re-evaluation last year, but the province is moving forward with a renewed effort through the "2025-2034 Comprehensive Plan."
The differentiated strategies to pass the preliminary feasibility study include: designation as a National Marine Ecological Park; increasing the conservation ratio; and focusing on projects centered on the management of marine protected species.
The Taean-Anseong Expressway construction project was proposed as a private investment initiative in December last year and is currently undergoing a feasibility review by the Korea Development Institute (KDI).
Upon completion, this project is expected to dramatically improve transportation accessibility in Taean, which is currently the only area in Chungnam without an expressway, and to strengthen the West Coast's tourism and industrial networks.
With the planned closure of the thermal power plant, Taean is also accelerating its transition to a hydrogen city.
The province is investing a total of 149 billion won to foster Taean, Boryeong, Dangjin, and Seosan as hydrogen industry hubs, expanding hydrogen production facilities and establishing a full-cycle utilization infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Governor Kim visited the Marine Healing Center on the same day to inspect its operational readiness. A total of 31.3 billion won is being invested in this facility, located in Dalsan-ri, Nam-myeon, which will feature a seawater pool, therapy rooms, massage rooms, and salt rooms. It is set to become a leading marine healing hub in Korea, with its opening scheduled for later this year.
At the subsequent expo preparation briefing, more than 60 participants-including members of the organizing committee, Taean County officials, and provincial department representatives-shared progress updates and discussed strategies for a successful event.
Governor Kim declared, "We will focus the province's capabilities on elevating Taean as the leading healing and tourism city of the West Coast region."
On October 16, Governor Kim will continue his fourth-year city and county tour with a visit to Nonsan City.
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