Chungnam Province Drives Cheongyang's Growth with Relocation of Forest Resources Research Institute,
Park Golf Course, and Climate Environment Education Center
Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to transform Cheongyang County into a self-sustaining city with a population of 50,000. Personally overseeing major projects such as the construction of the Jicheon Dam, the relocation of the Forest Resources Research Institute, the establishment of the Chungnam Provincial Park Golf Course, and the creation of the Climate Environment Education Center, he presented a vision for Cheongyang's sustainable development.
The provincial government will support Cheongyang County's leap toward becoming a self-sustaining city through initiatives such as the construction of the Jicheon River Basin Dam (Jicheon Dam) and the relocation of the Forest Resources Research Institute.
On October 20, as part of his fourth-year schedule for visiting cities and counties under the eighth popularly elected administration, Governor Kim visited Cheongyang County, held a dialogue with residents, and presented future strategies for the region.
Governor Kim emphasized, "The Jicheon Dam is not just about securing water resources; it is an essential infrastructure for the nation's future. Alongside the dam's construction, we will firmly establish the foundation for Cheongyang's development."
The Jicheon Dam project is planned for the areas of Jangpyeong-myeon in Cheongyang County and Eunsan-myeon in Buyeo County, with a reservoir capacity of 59 million cubic meters.
The province has set its core goals as responding to the climate crisis, preventing floods and droughts, and securing new water sources. Currently, most of the domestic water supply in Cheongyang and Buyeo depends on the Boryeong Dam and the Daecheong Dam, making the construction of the Jicheon Dam a key task for achieving water self-sufficiency.
The relocation of the Forest Resources Research Institute is also drawing attention as a new growth axis for Cheongyang. After competing with five other cities and counties last August, Cheongyang was ultimately selected as the relocation site. Accordingly, Chungnam Province is conducting a feasibility study and preparing a basic plan to foster the area as a "tourism and research complex specialized forest hub."
The provincial park golf course, to be built at the site of the former Gubong Mine in Guryong-ri, Namyang-myeon, Cheongyang, is also progressing rapidly. With a total project cost of 29 billion won (3 billion won from the national government and 26 billion won from the province), the 230,000-square-meter facility is expected to generate an economic ripple effect of 45 billion won and create 192 jobs.
The Chungnam Climate Environment Education Center is set to open in March next year as the nation's first "residential carbon-neutral education facility." With a total investment of 19.8 billion won, the center will serve as a key hub for carbon-neutral education for all generations.
After concluding his dialogue with residents, Governor Kim visited the Cheongyang Senior Welfare Housing and the 119 Complex Town in succession.
The Cheongyang Gyowol Senior Welfare Housing, built with a total investment of 27.5 billion won, is regarded as a care model for a super-aged society, combining housing, welfare, and medical services. The 119 Complex Town, constructed with an investment of 81 billion won, serves as a core hub for firefighting education and training in the Chungcheong region, housing the Chungcheong Fire Academy, the 119 Aviation Unit, and the Equipment Training Center.
Encouraging new fire service trainees, Governor Kim stated, "I hope Chungnam will become a center for disaster response through the use of AI drones and smart fire response technologies."
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