Joint bid for 2029 South Gyeongsang Province Games, National Route 77 feasibility approval cited as early wins; KTX transit-oriented development, drone complex, tuition support and free rural buses also on agenda

Goseong-gun County Chief Ha Hak-yeol holds a press conference at the county office's main conference room on Wednesday to announce key progress and future plans since the launch of the ninth elected administration. [Goseong-gun]
Goseong-gun County Chief Ha Hak-yeol holds a press conference at the county office's main conference room on Wednesday to announce key progress and future plans since the launch of the ninth elected administration. [Goseong-gun]

Goseong-gun County Chief Ha Hak-yeol pledged at his 100-day press conference to push forward major local projects and ease the financial burden on residents.

The county held the press conference at the county office's main conference room on Wednesday, outlining key progress since the launch of the ninth elected administration and plans for the months ahead. "The past 100 days were a time to listen to residents and prepare to deliver on campaign pledges," Ha said. "We will focus on revitalizing the Goseong economy, easing the burden on residents and securing future growth engines."

The county said it had visited all 14 towns and townships to gather public input through a series of community dialogue sessions. Officials are reviewing the timeline and funding for each of the 89 campaign pledge projects and refining detailed plans. Measures including extended grace periods for parking enforcement during lunch hours and an expansion of on-street parking lots have been incorporated into the third supplementary budget.

The county also cited the joint bid to host the 2029 South Gyeongsang Province Sports Festival with Tongyeong and Geoje as a major early achievement. Goseong is set to host the opening and closing ceremonies along with 13 sporting events. The county said it would develop plans to channel visitor spending into the local economy during the games.

A bridge construction project on National Route 77 between Dosan in Tongyeong and Samsan in Goseong-gun has cleared a preliminary feasibility review. The county said it would coordinate with relevant agencies on follow-up steps including planning and design. In connection with the 2026 Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo, the county plans to link half-price travel and cashback programs to drive spending at local tourist sites, traditional markets and restaurants.

Looking ahead, the county presented a "Triple-Road Project" to integrate rail, air and maritime transport. It plans to connect Nampo Port, Danghangpo and Jarado Island via urban air mobility, with a phased review of designation as a pilot operating zone and construction of vertiports. Development of a transit-oriented area around KTX Goseong Station is being pursued through an investment-priority district designation, while a new passenger terminal at Nampo Port and new shipping routes are also in the works. A marine wellness center on Jarado Island, targeting a first-half 2027 opening, is envisioned as a hub for maritime tourism.

The county is also pushing to establish a comprehensive drone complex in Donghae-myeon, with plans to attract companies in the aerospace, defense and drone sectors by linking manufacturing, testing, demonstration and commercialization activities. Urban planning reviews for the Yangchon and Yongjeong districts in Donghae-myeon, where many businesses are concentrated, will take into account residential demand from workers.

On the sale of SK Ocean Plant, the county said it would demand a legally binding commitment from the acquiring party covering investment, employment and on-site residency of workers. The county set out conditions including 1 trillion won ($744 million) in investment and the creation of 3,600 jobs. However, these are the county's stated demands, and whether they will be met remains subject to future negotiations and the sale process.

The county plans to apply for a central government rural basic income pilot program and propose cost-sharing arrangements to the national government and South Gyeongsang Province. A university tuition support scheme is being pursued, starting with third- and fourth-year students in 2027 before expanding to all years in 2028. Free rural bus service, medical expense support for middle-aged residents, a rural primary care physician program and a hospital escort service for elderly residents were also presented as priorities.

"We will carry out the projects we have planned so that residents can feel more secure in their daily lives and the region gains new vitality," Ha said.


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