First Youth Training Facility and Hostel Opens in Geogeumdo, Goheung

Sun Valley Group and Donggwang Development Invest 4 Billion Won
Official Opening Scheduled for January Next Year

Goheung County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Gong Youngmin), announced that it held a completion ceremony for the region's first youth training facility, the "Geogeumdo Youth Hostel," on the 19th at Yeonso Village in Geumsan-myeon.

Approximately 150 people attended the ceremony, including Gong Youngmin, Governor of Goheung County; Ryu Jedong, Chairman of the Goheung County Council; and Lee Singeun, Chairman of Sun Valley Group.

Goheung County held a completion ceremony for the 'Geogeumdo Youth Hostel,' the first youth training facility in the area, on the 19th at Yeonso Village in Geumsan-myeon. (From the 8th person from the left in the photo: Gong Youngmin, Goheung County Governor, Lee Singeun, Chairman of Sun Valley Group) Photo by Goheung County

The Geogeumdo Youth Hostel was completed through remodeling and expansion of the former Geumsan Jeil Elementary School, which closed in 2009. Sun Valley Group and its affiliate Donggwang Development Co., Ltd. invested 4 billion won in the project, which covers a land area of 11,225 square meters and a total floor area of 991 square meters. The hostel has 15 rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people simultaneously, and offers various activity spaces including a training hall, sports facility, campsite, and rooftop garden.

The official opening is scheduled for January 2026, and the facility will focus on promoting healthy leisure activities for youth, including cultural and educational programs.

Additionally, its proximity to Geogeumdo Baseball Field and the Kim Il Memorial Gymnasium will provide convenience for athletes visiting Goheung for winter training, and it is expected to significantly enhance the accommodation infrastructure during the Jeonnam Sports Festival to be held in Goheung County in 2027.

Chairman Lee Singeun stated, "This is a successful example of repurposing a closed school, preserving the community's memories while adding new functions. We hope to contribute to revitalizing the region by operating the hostel in various ways, such as for youth group activities, family trips, and village programs."

In his congratulatory remarks, Governor Gong Youngmin said, "It is very meaningful that a closed school has been reborn as a valuable space for both youth and visitors. The youth hostel will supplement the previously insufficient accommodation infrastructure and play an important role in attracting training teams and group tourists."

He added, "With increasing tourism demand driven by the soon-to-be-developed Silk Trail, the Jeokdaebong hiking trail, and the Nokdong Port drone show, this facility will serve as the starting point for stay-type tourism in Geumsan and Geogeumdo."

With the completion of the youth hostel, Goheung County plans to strengthen the educational and experiential environment for youth, expand its capacity to accommodate training teams and tourists, and further promote the revitalization of the local economy.