Gangwon Provincial Council Limestone Committee Inspects Cement Industry Sites... Urges Inclusion of Special Provisions in Gangwon Special Act

Gangwon Provincial Council Limestone Committee
Visits Cement Sites in Donghae, Samcheok, and Gangneung

The Special Committee on Sustainable Development of Limestone Mining Areas of the Gangwon Provincial Council visited cement industry and mining sites, including Ssangyong C&E in Donghae, Sampyo Cement in Samcheok, and Halla Cement in Gangneung, from January 12 to 13 to review sustainable development directions and regional coexistence measures based on limestone resources in mining areas.

The Special Committee on Sustainable Development of Limestone Mining Areas of the Gangwon Provincial Council visited cement industry and mining sites including Ssangyong C&E in Donghae, Sampyo Cement in Samcheok, and Halla Cement in Gangneung from the 12th to the 13th. The committee is reviewing sustainable development directions and regional coexistence measures based on limestone resources in mining areas. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Council

This site inspection was conducted to directly confirm the structural limitations of mining areas, which are gradually declining despite producing 55,303,000 tons of limestone-71% of the national total production of 77,914,000 tons-in Gangwon Province. The committee aimed to explore new directions for transformation amid changes in the industrial structure.

Along with the site inspections, the committee visited Mureung Byeol Yucheonji in Donghae, which has been transformed into a tourist destination attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, to examine a case where an abandoned limestone mine was regenerated as a tourism and cultural resource. Through this, the committee confirmed that abandoned mines can be transformed into new growth assets for the region, beyond simply being objects of restoration, and agreed that this case could serve as a meaningful reference model for future mining area development policies.

In addition, the special committee expressed regret that, although it has continuously raised the need to include special provisions for supporting abandoned limestone mining areas in the Gangwon Special Act through its legislative activities, these efforts have not yet led to institutionalization. The committee plans to continue urging the inclusion of such provisions to revitalize mining areas that have stagnated due to mine closures and industrial transformation.

Chairman Choi Jaeseok stated, "The transformation of mining areas is a task that can no longer be delayed," and added, "By referring to the case of Mureung Byeol Yucheonji, we will strengthen institutional support so that mining areas can become new engines of regional growth."