14 sites finalized — 9 in Changwon, 5 in Gimhae

Drainage, farm roads, rest areas among upgrades

All projects to wrap up by December 2027

A view of Jayeo Village in Dong-eup, Uichang-gu, Changwon [South Gyeongsang Province]
A view of Jayeo Village in Dong-eup, Uichang-gu, Changwon [South Gyeongsang Province]

South Gyeongsang Province has secured 5.6 billion won ($4.18 million) in state funding for a resident support project in development-restricted zones, known as greenbelts, in Changwon and Gimhae. Combined with 1 billion won in provincial funding, the province will spend a total of 6.6 billion won to improve living conditions across 14 sites. The work includes upgrading drainage channels, farm roads and ditches, as well as creating green leisure spaces and rest areas for residents.

The province said Friday that 14 sites within its jurisdiction — nine in Changwon and five in Gimhae — were selected in the "2027 Greenbelt Resident Support Project" competition run by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The project carries a budget of 5.6 billion won in state funds and 1 billion won in provincial funds.

The project is divided into 10 livelihood-convenience initiatives and four environmental-culture initiatives. The livelihood-convenience portion, backed by 3.2 billion won, will repair drainage channels and ditches and pave farm roads and streets, aiming to reduce flood damage during heavy rains and improve access for farming. The environmental-culture portion, backed by 3.4 billion won, will turn idle land into green leisure spaces, walking trails and resident rest areas.

In Changwon, ditch repairs and road paving will proceed at six locations: Pyeongseong-ri in Naeseo-eup, Masanhoewon-gu; the villages of Mukji, Okdong and Yegok in Jindong-myeon, Masanhappo-gu; and Sodap-dong and Gamgye-ri in Buk-myeon, Uichang-gu. Rest spaces featuring green leisure areas and walking trails will also be built at two locations in Dong-eup, Uichang-gu, and one in Anmin-dong, Seongsan-gu.

In Gimhae, drainage channels will be newly built or expanded at four locations — Yean-ri and Jonul-ri in Daedong-myeon, Heung-dong, Chilsanseobu-dong and Hwamok-dong. The province said these areas have repeatedly suffered flooding of farmland during heavy rains. In Suan-ri, Daedong-myeon, a green leisure space doubling as a resident rest area will also be built.

The share of state funding varies depending on each municipality's fiscal situation. Changwon will cover 20 percent of costs with city funds, with the state covering the remaining 80 percent. In Gimhae, the state will cover 90 percent, with the city covering 10 percent. "Gimhae received a relatively higher state subsidy rate, which lowers the burden on the city's own budget," a South Gyeongsang Province official said.

The province and the two cities plan to include their share of the funding in their initial 2027 budgets during the second half of this year. Once the budgets are allocated, design work and construction will proceed, with all projects set to be completed by December 2027. The project will be carried out under the principle of full single-year budget execution.

"Residents in greenbelt zones have long endured inconveniences such as narrow roads and poor drainage," said Jang Jae-hyuk, director of South Gyeongsang Province's Urban Housing Bureau. "We will carry out the administrative process without delay so that residents can feel real improvements in their living environment."

Since launching the greenbelt resident support project in 2001, South Gyeongsang Province has invested a total of 204.2 billion won across 645 sites in the province.


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