Ganghwa County Accelerates 'Fishing Village New Deal 300 Project'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Ganghwa County has committed to vigorously accelerating the Fishing Village New Deal 300 Project to improve the quality of life for residents in fishing villages and enhance living conditions.

On the 19th, the county held a status report meeting on the Fishing Village New Deal 300 Project at the county governor's office, attended by County Governor Yu Cheon-ho, Ganghwa-Ongjin Branch Director Lee Su-geun of Korea Rural Community Corporation, and related officials.

At the meeting, the county shared progress and future plans for the new deal projects, starting with ▲a performance report on Hupo Port Fishing Village New Deal Project, followed by ▲Changhoo Port ▲Hwangsan Island Port ▲Choji Port ▲and Waepo Area (Waepo Port and Hwangcheong Port).

'Hupo Port' was selected for the Fishing Village New Deal 300 Project in 2019. With 8.7 billion won invested, the project was completed in September of last year. Through collaboration with residents, the area has revived the old reputation of Hupo Port, which thrived in the 1970s and 1980s with anchovy fishing, by creating specialized anchovy streets, developing menus, and establishing landscapes featuring anchovy stories. The port has achieved positive results with steadily increasing visitors and rising fishermen's income.

The Fishing Village New Deal projects at 'Hwangsan Island Port' and 'Changhoo Port' were selected in 2020. With a combined project budget of 16.8 billion won (Hwangsan Island Port: 7.1 billion won; Changhoo Port: 9.4 billion won), construction is accelerating to meet this year's completion target. Hwangsan Island Port will feature △fish market facilities △wharf improvements △resident community center △and coastal walking paths, while Changhoo Port will have △a complex center △expanded fish markets △and shared warehouses.

The 'Choji Port' Fishing Village New Deal Project, selected last year, will invest 7.2 billion won to create an attractive fishing port that combines an attractive harbor with history and tourism content, including fishermen's centers, ecological plazas, resident rest areas, and landscape improvements. Currently, administrative procedures such as cultural heritage modification permits are being processed to achieve completion next year.

For the 'Waepo Area (Waepo Port and Hwangcheong Port)' Fishing Village New Deal Project, selected this year, 11.6 billion won will be invested. At Waepo Port, expansion of fish market facilities, construction of new fishing equipment and gear storage, and creation of boat-lifting facilities will be pursued. At Hwangcheong Port, piers and dolphin systems will be upgraded and new fishing equipment and gear warehouses will be established. Additionally, basic plans are being developed for photo zone improvements at Waepo Port, creation of sea rest areas, specialized shrimp sauce direct sales at seafood markets, and restoration of the Sambyeolcho historical plaza.

County Governor Yu Cheon-ho said, "We will accelerate the Fishing Village New Deal projects at Hwangsan Island Port, Changhoo Port, Choji Port, and Waepo and Hwangcheong ports in Waepo Area to improve residents' quality of life and lead innovative growth in fishing villages." He added, "For projects falling behind schedule, section chiefs should listen directly to voices from the field and actively address issues from the residents' perspective to push forward with the projects."