Gangwon Province to Invest 20.8 Billion Won in Port Infrastructure, Targeting Both Safety and Tourism

Province Dramatically Improves Key Port Safety
Building Safe Ports to Withstand Coastal Disasters
Addressing Rising Sea Levels and Stronger Typhoons
Enhancing Navigation and Operational Safety...
Boosting Regional Tourism

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province invested a total of 26.8 billion won throughout 2025 to implement a project aimed at creating safe, water-friendly coastal and port spaces at five locally managed ports in response to climate change.

In particular, the province improved facility performance and prevented erosion damage by reinforcing the aging Sokcho Port Suhyup pier and restoring the coastal embankment at Yeongjin Beach in Jumunjin Port, which is known as a filming location for the drama "Dokkaebi." At the same time, these efforts transformed the ports into attractive tourism resources. As a result, both local residents and tourists can now enjoy a more pleasant and safer environment.

Additionally, the road in front of Emart in the Sokcho Port area had long been plagued by chronic traffic congestion, causing inconvenience for residents and tourists. However, by completing the expansion of the nearby Sokcho Port hinterland transportation facilities and improving pedestrian walkways, the province has enhanced traffic flow and increased convenience for port users.

Following the 2025 investments, the province plans to continue its efforts in 2026 by allocating a total of 20.8 billion won to improve the safety and functionality of aging facilities and to further develop safe and accessible port infrastructure.

Key port projects for 2026 include nine initiatives in the port development sector, such as the construction of a government vessel pier to expand the previously cramped berthing facilities at Jumunjin Port and the expansion of the patrol vessel pier at Sokcho Port to improve port usability, with a total investment of 8.5 billion won. In addition, nine projects in the maintenance sector, including maintenance dredging of the navigation channel at Jumunjin Port for safe vessel operation and safety improvements, will be carried out with an investment of 12.3 billion won.

Notably, the Sokcho Port International Passenger Terminal remodeling project will receive a total investment of 3 billion won to restore and upgrade the long-unused facility, with full-scale improvement and remodeling efforts set to begin.

This project is intended to reestablish a reliable transportation base for international passengers and cargo. The detailed safety inspection and design were completed in 2025, and the remodeling is scheduled for completion in 2026, at which point the international passenger terminal will resume normal operations.

Son Changhwan, Director of the Global Headquarters at Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "Through these port projects, we are continuously improving the safety and functionality of our ports, which are increasingly becoming regional tourism assets. In celebration of the Year of Visiting Gangwon, we will establish safe and accessible port infrastructure that both residents and tourists can easily enjoy, thereby contributing to the revitalization of tourism in Gangwon."