Yeoncheon County Receives Prime Minister's Commendation for 'Border Area Development Merit'

Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 24th that it has received the Prime Minister's Commendation in the '2025 Border Area Development Merit' government awards hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Yeoncheon County received the Prime Minister's Commendation in the '2025 Border Area Development Merit' government awards hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The photo shows the Imjingang Dapsari Garden. Provided by Yeoncheon County.

This award recognizes Yeoncheon County's DMZ Ecotourism Resource Project, which was highly praised for revitalizing tourism, restoring the local economy, and preserving ecological resources, all within the unique conditions of a border area.

Through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Special Situation Area Development Project, Yeoncheon County transformed the Imjingang River floodplain near the Civilian Control Line, previously overrun by invasive plant species, into a complex space blending ecology and tourism. This area was reborn as the 'Imjingang Dapsari Garden,' now a signature tourist attraction of Yeoncheon County.

Building on this foundation, the county established a border area ecotourism model that combines local historical and cultural assets with the natural environment, contributing to the revitalization of local tourism, as evidenced by a significant increase in visitor numbers since 2022. In particular, the Imjingang Dapsari Garden was selected by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization as a '2025 Autumn Flower Destination,' further demonstrating the excellence of the project.

A Yeoncheon County official stated, "This Prime Minister's Commendation is the result of Yeoncheon County's policy direction and field-oriented administration, which have turned the limitations of a border area into strengths. We will continue to pursue policies that leverage the unique characteristics of border regions to drive balanced growth."

Meanwhile, Yeoncheon County plans to strengthen its post-management system and pursue the phased advancement of tourism resources to ensure the continued spread and sustainability of the project's achievements. To this end, the county is developing a master plan for the creation of the 'World Ecological Peace Garden' with the goal of being designated as a National Garden. Based on this, the county aims to establish an ecological and security tourism network along the Imjingang River, enhancing interregional connections and further improving the sustainability of the project.