The Integration of Samcheonpo and Sacheon: Ushering in a New Era of Marine and Fisheries Advancement

Balanced Growth Across Marine, Fisheries, Agriculture, and Tourism
Fundamental Strengthening of the Regional Economy

Sacheon City in South Gyeongsang Province has achieved remarkable results in the marine and fisheries sector this year, drawing nationwide attention. The integration of Samcheonpo City, once known as a "city of fisheries," and Sacheon County, previously an "agriculture-focused city," has become increasingly significant in 2025.

As the city's industrial structure has developed in a balanced manner across marine, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism, Sacheon City is establishing a growth model that fundamentally strengthens the overall regional economy.

This year, Sacheon City also posted outstanding results in public projects organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The Fishing Village New Deal 300 (Gaetseom Port) project, currently underway in the Dapyeong-ri area of Seopo-myeon, is on track for completion within the year.

Aerial view of Mujigae Bridge in Sacheon City.

This project, with a total investment of 6.275 billion won, is a comprehensive initiative that strengthens both the living and tourism infrastructure of fishing villages through breakwater and bridge maintenance and the creation of healing zones. Residents are already experiencing significant improvements in their daily lives. In addition, Sacheon City has achieved the notable feat of being selected for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project for three consecutive years.

With Gwangpo Port, Ando Port, and Sangchon Port selected in 2023, Jungchon Port in 2024, and Samcheonpo Port (Sinhyang Port) in 2025, a total of 65 billion won worth of regional innovation projects are being implemented.

In particular, Samcheonpo Port (Sinhyang Port) includes the construction of a marine and fisheries complex, a local food village, an administrative service office, a waterfront deck, and landscape lighting. This large-scale infrastructure lays the foundation for Sacheon to become a "next-generation integrated port" that combines marine tourism, fisheries, and logistics.

The final selection of Sinsu Port for the CLEAN National Fishing Port Project is also one of Sacheon's greatest achievements in the marine sector. With a total investment of 19.1 billion won (14.9 billion won from the national government, 4.1 billion won from the city, and 100 million won from the private sector), this project will be carried out over four years from 2026 to 2029. It will see the construction of a new Fishermen's Cultural Center and the creation of Yeolim Park, transforming the port into an eco-friendly, culture-integrated national fishing port.

With these efforts, Sacheon City has succeeded in solidifying its brand as a marine and fisheries city by systematically connecting multi-layered marine resources such as Samcheonpo Port, Sinsu Port, Gwangpo Bay, and tidal flat wetland protected areas.

In October 2023, the Gwangpo Bay tidal flat was designated as a wetland protected area. Based on this, the Marine Protected Area Management Project, which will be implemented from 2025 to 2029 with a total budget of 45 billion won, is further evidence that Sacheon's marine ecological resources are being recognized nationwide.

By 2029, the city will actively implement projects such as marine protected area management, the installation of tidal flat exploration trails, visitor centers and experiential education centers, and the operation of ecological education and experience programs. This will create a foundation for the simultaneous growth of the fishing village economy and the eco-tourism industry.

The new fisheries guidance vessel "Sacheonbada-ho," which began operation in July 2025, is a key asset for enhancing Sacheon's marine administrative capabilities. The 32-ton vessel, with a top speed of 30 knots, is designed for multiple functions, including administrative support, patrol, and rescue operations. It is expected to improve the safety of fishermen, strengthen the crackdown on illegal fishing, and enable faster and more accurate responses to marine environmental issues.

To address the growing problem of marine debris caused by typhoons and heavy rains, Sacheon City is carrying out a project to build a marine debris environmental cleanup vessel from 2026 to 2027, with a total investment of 3 billion won. After completing administrative procedures, construction will begin next year, and once the vessel is completed, year-round collection and disposal of marine debris will be possible.

Additionally, from 2025 to November 2026, the city will implement a 700 million won marine disaster debris recovery project, focusing on the disposal of 300 tons of marine debris in areas such as Seopo-myeon and Silan-dong.

Entering 2025, Sacheon City is moving beyond its traditional fisheries-centered structure to create a new growth model that combines the marine and fisheries industry, marine tourism, and marine ecological conservation.

The development of Samcheonpo Port (Sinhyang Port), the creation of a CLEAN national fishing port, the establishment of a management system for the Gwangpo Bay wetland protected area, and consecutive selections for the Fishing Village New Deal and New Vitality projects all indicate that Sacheon's marine infrastructure is being reorganized to the highest national standards.

As the local marine environment improves, demand for marine tourism will increase, leading to greater inflows of tourists, which in turn will boost the fisheries, food processing, and local food industries, creating a virtuous cycle that revitalizes the regional economy. Sacheon City is now realizing this transformation before our eyes.

Given that Samcheonpo City and Sacheon County previously had independent industrial structures focused on fisheries and agriculture, respectively, the current state of integrated Sacheon City is highly symbolic. As the two industrial bases have coexisted and expanded, Sacheon has established itself as a complex city encompassing marine, fisheries, agriculture, aviation, and tourism.

Aerial view of Samcheonpo Port (Shinhyang Port) Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project.

In particular, the remarkable increase in investment in the marine and fisheries sector and the city's repeated selection for government public projects are seen as evidence of the synergy created by integration and the city's administrative capabilities.

In 2025, Sacheon City is presenting the future of Korea's marine and fisheries sector. The achievements made by the city this year go beyond the mere implementation of projects. From establishing a sustainable marine ecological foundation and strengthening fisheries competitiveness to creating new value-added industries linked to tourism, Sacheon is demonstrating to local governments across the country "how to design a city's future through the sea."

2025 marks the first year of Sacheon's full-fledged leap as a marine and fisheries city, and this process is the fruition of the regional capabilities that integrated Sacheon City has accumulated over the past 25 years. There is growing anticipation for the new vision that Sacheon, as a marine city, will create in the years ahead.