Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun: "Hwaseong Will Become Korea's Representative Coastal City"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Lee Su-won] The '29th Day of the Ocean' commemorative ceremony was held successfully on May 31 at Jeongok Port in Jeongok-ri, Seoshin-myeon, Hwaseong City.

The Day of the Ocean is a national commemorative day established in 1996 to raise awareness of the importance of the sea and to establish Korea as a global maritime power, following the enactment of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in November 1994.

The ceremony, held under the theme "The Sea as Hope for Our People," was attended by approximately 1,500 people including Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyeong, Gyeonggi Province Deputy Administrative Governor Oh Byeong-kwon, Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun, Chairman of Hwaseong City Council Kim Kyung-hee, Gyeonggi Province council members, Hwaseong City council members, officials from the oceans and fisheries sector, and residents.

The ceremony proceeded with pre-ceremony cultural performances by the Navy Military Band and the Hwaseong City Music Association Vocal Ensemble, followed by a welcome address, awards for meritorious service, commemorative remarks, a symbolic performance, and a closing declaration.

Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun said, "Jeongok Port is a strategically important location for maritime trade known as Dangsong fortress since the Three Kingdoms period, and it holds historical value and significance. Through continued support for the oceans and fisheries sector, I will actively work to make Hwaseong City become Korea's representative coastal city."

In connection with the 29th Day of the Ocean commemorative ceremony, the '14th Hwaseong Boat Festival' will be held for three days from today through June 2 in the Jeongok Port area.

The festival, with the concept of "The Imagined Sea, Hopeful Hwaseong," will feature various maritime leisure activities and cultural events that highlight the charm of a coastal city, including hands-on yacht, boat, and cruise ship boarding experiences, and maritime leisure activities such as fun boats and water bicycles.

Meanwhile, Hwaseong City achieved a population of 1 million in December of last year and is preparing for the launch of Hwaseong Special City on January 1 next year, the fifth in Korea.