The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 31st that it has selected Buan County in Jeollbuk-do, Boryung City in Chungcheongnam-do, and Yeongwol County in Gangwon-do as the target locations for a collaborative project with the Ministry of Environment for 'sustainable regional balanced development and the activation of ecotourism.'
This collaborative project is an initiative following intergovernmental personnel exchanges, in which the two ministries launched a policy council and selected tasks. This collaboration aligns with the new government's '5 poles and 3 special' policy framework, aiming to move away from concentration in the capital region and towards a 'nation where everyone lives well.' The 5 poles refer to the capital region, southeast region, Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, central region, and Honam region, while the 3 specials are the special autonomous provinces of Jeju, Gangwon, and Jeollbuk.
Through this collaboration, the two ministries will seek development plans that highlight the unique characteristics of local areas through the activation of ecotourism. The Ministry of Environment will consult on comprehensive ecotourism activation plans related to regional resources such as ecology and culture for the ecotourism infrastructure built through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's coastal and inland development projects.
The two ministries formed an evaluation committee and comprehensively reviewed the status of ecotourism infrastructure to be established based on local development projects applied for by local governments, including the conditions for ecotourism, diagnostics (consultation), and expected effects.
Buan County received high marks for its environmentally friendly unified (one-stop) ecotourism and experiential education conditions linked to the Julypo Bay Wetland Protection Area, Buan Julypo Bay Sunset Garden, Buan Sea Road Tourist Area, and Mudflat Healing Center Project.
Boryung City was noted for its advantages in ecotourism resources such as the ecological conservation area of Sohwang Sand Dune, Wonsando, Daecheon Beach, and Sunset Observatory. In particular, the various activities of the local community, including the Sustainable Development Council, Sohwang Sand Dune Preservation Management Council, and Doksan Village (Excellent Natural Ecology Village), positively influenced the evaluation.
Yeongwol County was selected for its outstanding connection to the Byeolmaro Observatory, Bongraesan Forest Bathing Area, the Bongraesan Landmark Project (forest play area creation), and a local customized integrated river project (ecological complex cultural space).
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Environment will conduct a region-specific ecotourism diagnostics (consultation) for the three locations by November. Afterwards, they will enhance understanding and capacity regarding ecotourism in the cities and counties involved, propose methods for operating local councils, and develop specialized ecotourism activities (programs).
For Yeongdeok County in Gyeongbuk, which was selected last year, a follow-up diagnosis (consultation) on ecotourism and local council operations will be conducted to assess results and strengthen the performance management system by reflecting those results in future ecotourism development plans.
Kim Ji-yeon, the director of land policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, 'Through this inter-ministerial collaboration, we will enhance the appeal of local small and medium cities, promote competitiveness, and actively cooperate with the Ministry of Environment to provide a foundation for balanced growth in local areas.'
Kim Tae-o, the director of the Natural Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, noted, 'We will solidify inter-ministerial cooperation to ensure that the vitality and competitiveness of local areas can be strengthened through a comprehensive ecotourism diagnosis of the unique ecological resources inherent in the region.'