Goha Island in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, has been selected as a site for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' '2027 Fishing Village Renewal 3.0' project, marking a significant step toward improving the living conditions in this underdeveloped fishing community and revitalizing the local economy.
Mokpo City, led by Mayor Kang Seong-hwi, announced that Goha Island secured a total of 7.9 billion won in national and provincial funding, including 7 billion won from the national budget and 900 million won from the provincial budget.
The project will involve a total investment of 10 billion won, including 2.1 billion won from the city, and will be implemented over four years from 2027 to 2030 to enhance the fishing infrastructure and improve the living environment for residents.
Fishing Village Renewal 3.0 is a government initiative aimed at improving living conditions in fishing communities facing challenges such as population decline and aging, while also establishing a foundation for economic activities utilizing local resources to enhance sustainability.
Goha Island was selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of its potential for utilizing unique local resources, the feasibility of the project, community participation, and the commitment of local government.
Mokpo City presented a distinctive project plan that connects Goha Island's historical, cultural, and tourism resources with improvements to residents' living conditions.
A key component of the project is the establishment of a cultural welfare platform on the site of the former Chungmu School.
The city plans to transform the existing school space into a cultural welfare hub for residents and tourists, aiming to extend visitor traffic from the coastal tourist attractions into the village.
This initiative will provide cultural and welfare spaces for residents while offering tourists opportunities to experience the local culture and resources of Goha Island.
Infrastructure improvements closely tied to residents' daily lives will also be pursued.
Major projects include paving village roads, creating connecting pathways, installing solar panels and energy storage systems (ESS), reinforcing embankments, extending docks, dredging ports, and establishing small-scale direct sales outlets.
The extension of docks and dredging of ports are expected to enhance the convenience of fishing activities and improve maritime transportation conditions, contributing to safer mobility for residents and strengthening the foundation for fishing village life.
The renovation of village roads and connecting pathways will focus on alleviating inconveniences for residents and improving accessibility to the village.
Additionally, the establishment of small-scale direct sales outlets aims to create a sales base for local seafood and connect tourist influx with residents' income.
The city plans to complement facility expansion with training programs to strengthen community capacity and collaborative initiatives.
The goal is to support residents in utilizing local resources and participating in tourism and economic activities, ensuring that the community can sustain itself even after the project's completion.
Kim Dae-hyang, the head of Goha Island, expressed, "We are determined to create an island where residents want to live and tourists can enjoy their stay, and this selection for the project is a meaningful outcome of our efforts and those of Mokpo City."
Mayor Kang Seong-hwi stated, "The passion, interest, and active participation of Goha Island residents were key factors in the selection of this project. We will implement it without delay to improve the living environment for residents and invigorate the fishing economy."
He added, "We will encourage other island regions to actively participate in various projects while maintaining their unique resources and identities, striving to develop into beautiful and vibrant destinations."
This project is significant as it aims to simultaneously improve living conditions and economic activity in fishing villages by linking Goha Island's tourism resources with residents' living spaces.
However, given the substantial budget involved, ensuring effective operation and management after facility construction and securing tangible income increases for residents will be key challenges for the project's success.
Meanwhile, Goha Island is known for its historical and marine tourism resources, attracting visitors with facilities such as a cable car and coastal deck. Mokpo City plans to expand the tourism infrastructure into the village living area through this Fishing Village Renewal 3.0 project while also improving residents' living conditions and revitalizing the local economy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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