Gimhae City is set to advance key cultural and tourism projects in the second half of the year.
On August 4, Gimhae officials held a regular briefing to announce plans for six major projects under the Cultural Tourism Bureau, including the Cultural Arts Department, Tourism Department, Cultural Heritage Department, and Daesungdong Ancient Tomb Museum.
The centerpiece of these initiatives is the development of a Cultural Plaza connecting the Gimhae Culture and Arts Center and Yeonji Park. The city plans to eliminate the road that currently separates the two facilities and create a 4,000-square-meter Cultural Plaza at the site of 1149 Naedong. Additionally, the 2,000-square-meter parking lot at the Culture and Arts Center will be renovated to provide an open cultural space for performances, festivals, and relaxation.
While both facilities are prominent cultural and leisure spaces in Gimhae, they have faced criticism for limited pedestrian access and space utilization due to the intervening road. The city has conducted feasibility studies and research since 2025, along with citizen surveys and community meetings, to develop a phased implementation plan.
The total project cost is estimated at approximately 80 billion won based on the research. Considering financial conditions, the city will proceed with the project in stages. Initially, 120 million won will be allocated for the design service in this year's first supplementary budget, and 2.1 billion won will be secured in the 2027 budget for the first phase of the plaza development, which will focus on creating a flat Cultural Plaza.
Currently, the process for changing the urban management plan is underway, and the design service will commence in the second half of this year. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with completion targeted for the second half of that year and a public opening planned for the first half of 2028.
The sixth Gujiga Literary Award, a prestigious local literary prize, is also entering its evaluation phase. Submissions closed on July 31, and after preliminary and final evaluations, the winners will be announced in September, with an awards ceremony scheduled for October 17.
The Gujiga Literary Award offers a prize of 12 million won for writers with over ten years of publication experience, while the Gaya Literary Award provides 5 million won regardless of publication status. Over the past five years, 945 participants have submitted 6,615 works nationwide.
In the tourism sector, the Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Museum will host a special exhibition to celebrate its 17th anniversary, along with a summer tourism stamp tour. The exhibition, titled 'Buncheong Love - Buncheong with Foreign Workers in Gimhae,' will run from August 12 to September 3, showcasing works created by 40 foreign workers residing in Gimhae, themed around 'My Hometown.'
Additionally, the tourism stamp tour, running until September, encourages visitors to explore three out of 20 major tourist sites in Gimhae, offering souvenirs for participation. Extra souvenirs will be provided to customers of local 'Hanwoo Mulga' establishments to promote tourism and support local businesses.
In the cultural heritage sector, the National Heritage Administration's project 'Exploring Nammyung and Sanhaejeong' will be implemented. This program includes exploration and experiential education at Sanhaejeong for students, children, the disabled, and the elderly, with a total of 613 participants this year, and all August programs have already reached capacity.
The '2026 World Heritage Festival - Gaya Ancient Tombs' will take place from August 28 to September 10, aimed at promoting world heritage tourism.
The festival will feature various experiential programs, including a nighttime stargazing event 'Going to Gaya to See the Stars,' excavation experiences at Gaya tombs, a combination of plogging and performances, an international academic symposium, and children's guide programs.
Mayor Jeong Yeong-du stated, "Through the development of the Cultural Plaza and the World Heritage Festival, we aim to expand the environment for citizens to enjoy culture in their daily lives and enhance tourism competitiveness utilizing world heritage and historical cultural resources."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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