Seomang Port in Jindo County, South Jeolla Province, has been selected as the site for a national key fishing port development project, with a total investment of 917 billion won ($684 million), paving the way for it to become a central hub for the fishing economy in the southwestern coast of Korea.
On November 13, Jindo County announced that Seomang Port was chosen in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' project competition, which will expand port infrastructure and modernize seafood distribution systems over five years, from 2027 to 2031.
The project aims to enhance the competitiveness of the local fishing industry by expanding the port's functions from primarily seafood production and sales to include storage, processing, distribution, and tourism.
Seomang Port is a major crab production area and a key seafood distribution hub on the southwestern coast, recording sales of 32.7 billion won ($24.5 million) last year.
However, the port has faced challenges due to a lack of storage and processing facilities, necessitating the expansion of distribution infrastructure to match production levels.
In response, Jindo County developed a comprehensive plan linking port modernization with improvements to the seafood distribution system and participated in the project competition in May. After being selected as a preliminary candidate in July, the county finalized its project site designation following consultations with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the basic plan.
The project will involve 605 billion won ($455 million) in national funding, 252 billion won ($190 million) in local funding, and 60 billion won ($45 million) in private investment.
Key initiatives include expanding the small vessel dock on the south side, automating cargo handling, constructing a parking tower, improving port aesthetics and safety facilities, establishing a cold chain hub for temperature-controlled distribution, modernizing the auction hall, and expanding cold storage facilities and seafood processing complexes.
Notably, this national key fishing port development project will also promote a new initiative worth 635 billion won ($478 million) and link it with an existing 282 billion won ($212 million) rural revitalization project to develop the Seomang Port area into a comprehensive seafood economy hub.
With the establishment of infrastructure connecting seafood production, storage, processing, and distribution, the project is expected to improve the freshness and distribution efficiency of catch while enhancing the added value of local seafood.
Additionally, it will create a foundation for attracting young people to settle in fishing villages.
Jindo County plans to develop 25 rental housing units for young people and community facilities through a separate 10 billion won ($7.5 million) youth fishing village project near Seomang Port.
The county aims to create job opportunities linked to the fishing industry, providing stable conditions for young people to settle and revitalizing fishing villages facing challenges from aging populations and declining numbers.
Jindo County intends to organically link the national key fishing port development project with the national port expansion project, rural revitalization project, and youth fishing village project to simultaneously strengthen the competitiveness of the fishing industry and stimulate the local economy.
Lee Jae-gak, the mayor of Jindo County, stated, "The selection of this project will elevate the competitiveness of Jindo's fishing industry and secure new growth momentum for the local economy. We will develop Seomang Port into a central hub for the southwestern coast's fishing economy and create a vibrant fishing village where young people can return, work, and settle."
In July, Mayor Lee visited the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to advocate for the necessity of the Seomang Port national key fishing port development project and the early promotion of the national port expansion project, continuing efforts to secure national funding and project selection. Jindo County plans to collaborate with relevant agencies to refine detailed project plans and systematically manage the timelines for each initiative.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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