On December 16, Goseong County in Gangwon Province visited the Ministry of Unification to address local issues. During a meeting with the Minister of Unification, the county requested government-level attention and support for key issues such as the designation of the Goseong Peace Economic Zone and the early connection of the Donghae Expressway (Sokcho-Goseong section).
Goseong County visited the Ministry of Unification on the 16th to address local issues and shook hands with Jeong Dongyoung, the Minister of Unification. Photo by Goseong County
Regarding the Goseong Peace Economic Zone, Goseong County highlighted its proactive approach compared to other regions, citing the completion of the "Basic Plan for the Goseong Peace Economic Zone" in April 2023 and the commissioning of the "Application for Designation of the Goseong Peace Economic Zone" in November. The county also emphasized its unique advantages and justification, including experience with the Mount Kumgang tourism project, core infrastructure such as the Donghae Bukbu Line railway and the Mount Kumgang overland tourism road connecting the two Koreas. Additionally, Goseong County stressed that it is a "well-prepared candidate site" through related private investment projects such as renewable energy and the development of international resort tourism sites.
In relation to the early connection of the Donghae Expressway (Sokcho-Goseong section), the county pointed out that Goseong is the only one among the six cities and counties along the East Coast that is not connected by an expressway. It explained that, although the basic design for the Sokcho-Goseong section was completed in 1998, construction has not even begun in the 27 years since, causing significant inconvenience for tourists and logistics, as well as considerable limitations on regional development.
The county also noted that Goseong has grown into a tourist city attracting over 10 million visitors annually, and requested active support, citing the government's recent addition of "balanced growth" as an evaluation criterion for preliminary feasibility studies and the new administration's consideration of improving inter-Korean relations and the potential resumption of Mount Kumgang tourism.
The head of Goseong County stated, "To achieve practical inter-Korean economic cooperation, we will further strengthen cooperation with Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the central government to ensure the designation of the Goseong Peace Economic Zone and the early commencement of the Donghae Expressway construction, which is linked to key tourism infrastructure projects such as the Ulsanbawi Cable Car and the Hwajinpo International Resort Tourism Site."
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