GANGWON-DO < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged Monday to ease regulations to boost the tourism industry in the mountainous Gangwon Province, emphasizing that additional cable car systems could be constructed, according to the wishes of local residents.

Yoon made the commitment during a government-public debate held in the Gangwon provincial government building, referencing a new cable car project on Mount Seorak, one of the nation's most scenic mountains located on the eastern coast of the province.

"When the cable car begins full operation in 2026, it is expected to attract more tourists and bring over 130 billion won (US$98.9 million) in economic benefits to the local economy," Yoon said.

The controversial project, proposed by the county of Yangyang in the province in 1995 to revitalize the local economy, involves building a 3.5-kilometer-long cable car system between the Osaek area of Mount Seorak and the 1,480-meter-high Kkeutcheong Peak.

However, the project has faced strong opposition from environmental activists who argue it would harm the environment and endangered species in the region. After years of debate, the project received conditional approval, and construction began last November.

Yoon also promised deregulation efforts in state-owned forest regions in the province to facilitate the development of tourist trains and camping sites that could further foster the tourism industry.

During the debate, Yoon outlined the government's plan to develop transportation infrastructure connecting the wider Seoul area and Gangwon Province. The government plans to expand the Great Train Express (GTX) commuter rail network, which will begin service this year.

Yoon noted that GTX lines B and D would be newly constructed, connecting the wider capital area to Chuncheon and Wonju, respectively, both located on the western side of the province.

Additionally, Yoon promised to develop Gangwon Province into a hub for cutting-edge industries, including digital and bio.

"I will firmly support the early success of the '333 project,' which aims to achieve the employment of 30,000 workers in the digital industry, the establishment of 3,000 digital companies and a 300 percent growth in revenue," Yoon said.



khj@yna.co.kr

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Source: Yonhap News (March 11, 2024)