The Sangmuryong Bridge over Paro Lake in Yanggu. Yanggu, including Sangmuryong village, shouldered national defense and water supply responsibilities for 50 to 80 years, incurring an estimated 3 trillion won ($2.17 billion) in losses while receiving only about 2 billion won in infrastructure support over the same period. The isolated Seoho hamlet in Sangmuryong 2-ri finally gained road access to the town center after the bridge was built — residents had previously relied on motorboats they purchased themselves. The community, which endured decades of hardship, is now planning a Dancing Dragon festival in early October around National Foundation Day. "We will make our village beautiful and attract tourists," residents said, drawing admiration from across the country.
The Sangmuryong Bridge over Paro Lake in Yanggu. Yanggu, including Sangmuryong village, shouldered national defense and water supply responsibilities for 50 to 80 years, incurring an estimated 3 trillion won ($2.17 billion) in losses while receiving only about 2 billion won in infrastructure support over the same period. The isolated Seoho hamlet in Sangmuryong 2-ri finally gained road access to the town center after the bridge was built — residents had previously relied on motorboats they purchased themselves. The community, which endured decades of hardship, is now planning a Dancing Dragon festival in early October around National Foundation Day. "We will make our village beautiful and attract tourists," residents said, drawing admiration from across the country.

The central government has committed its largest-ever financial support for economic development in the border regions of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, in line with President Lee Jae Myung's policy principle that "peace brings benefits."

Some politicians in Gangwon Province have continued to ignore border residents' aspirations for economic development, instead emphasizing confrontation with North Korea along ideological lines — an approach that has drawn a cold reception from local communities.

Responding to those aspirations, the provincial administration under Governor Woo Sang-ho secured a total of 147.8 billion won ($107 million) in national funds — representing 60 percent of the 248.4 billion won total government budget proposed for 2027 border-area development projects under the Ministry of Interior and Safety. The figure marks an increase of 47.4 billion won, or 47 percent, over the previous year, and is the highest ever secured for the region.

A 47 percent increase is a figure rarely seen in ordinary economic growth, and even more unusual in the conservative world of government budget allocations. By any measure, it is an extraordinary jump.

"The record national funding secured this time goes beyond a simple budget increase — it will serve as a new engine of growth opening the era of a peaceful Gangwon," Governor Woo said. "We expect it to act as a catalyst for revitalizing the region through expanded basic infrastructure and the development of stay-and-tourism foundations." He added that the province plans to strengthen close cooperation with border cities and counties as well as central government ministries to continue providing active support.

The border-area development program aims to boost economic vitality and improve residents' welfare across 17 cities and counties that are geographically and socially underdeveloped due to the division of the Korean Peninsula. It is divided into two tracks: the Border Zone Development Support Program and the Special Circumstances Area Development Program.

The 17 cities and counties covered are Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, Goseong, Chuncheon and Sokcho in Gangwon Province; Gimpo, Paju, Yeoncheon, Goyang, Yangju, Dongducheon, Pocheon and Gapyeong in Gyeonggi Province; and Ganghwa and Ongjin in Incheon.

The Border Zone Development Support Program, carried out under a comprehensive development plan, will receive 71.1 billion won in national funds — an increase of 37.4 billion won over this year. The province plans to maximize the impact of the projects so they can serve as a springboard for a major leap forward in the border region.

Twelve ongoing projects will receive 63.9 billion won, allocated as follows: a themed border hub in Chuncheon, Yanggu and Inje, 11 billion won; an LPG pipeline network in Cheorwon and Inje, 13.3 billion won; a specialized street for military personnel in Hwacheon, 5.9 billion won; an east-west high-speed rail link connecting Hwacheon, Yanggu and Inje, 7.3 billion won; and smart nature rest shelters across five counties, 6.1 billion won.

Five new projects will receive 7.2 billion won in total, earmarked for transit-oriented area infrastructure in Sokcho, 2.38 billion won; geotourism development in Cheorwon, Inje and Goseong, 3.48 billion won; a Myeongseongsan Gungye Road project in Cheorwon, 700 million won; and a civilian control line entry simplification project in Yanggu, 350 million won.

The Special Circumstances Area Development Program, designed to address the unique challenges of underdeveloped border communities, will receive 76.7 billion won — an increase of 10 billion won over this year. The province plans to accelerate the expansion of resident-centered living infrastructure and improve settlement conditions.

Fifty-five ongoing special development projects will share 66.3 billion won, directed toward a World Geopark landmark project in Cheorwon, 3.33 billion won; a Hwacheon-style residential welfare project, 2.65 billion won; an indoor children's play facility in Yanggu, 3.85 billion won; a smart workcation facility in Inje, 4.55 billion won; and a Gongji Stream bridge design project in Chuncheon, 1.8 billion won.

Eleven new projects will receive 10.4 billion won, allocated to an urban-landscape pedestrian overpass in Inje, 3.9 billion won; a drinking and clean water supply system in Sokcho and Inje, 3.1 billion won; a comprehensive funeral infrastructure facility in Cheorwon, 1.1 billion won; a maritime bridge to Geonbongsa temple in Goseong, 800 million won; and an integrated mountain produce distribution support project in Chuncheon, 400 million won.


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