Wanggung Ecological Restoration Project in Iksan-si Selected for Government Preliminary Feasibility Study

The Wanggung-myeon area in Iksan-si, North Jeolla Province, will be transformed into a healing space through a large-scale ecological restoration project led by the government.
According to Iksan-si on the 3rd, the Wanggung Ecological Restoration Project was recently selected as a target for the government’s Preliminary Feasibility Study after review by the Financial Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
This means the government will officially assess the necessity and impact of the project, laying the groundwork for its implementation as a national initiative.
If the project passes the Preliminary Feasibility Study, a total of 243.7 billion won will be invested by 2033 to transform 1.82 million square meters of damaged land in Wanggung-myeon.
The Wanggung-myeon area suffered severe environmental damage due to the government’s past policy of isolating persons affected by Hansen's disease and the concentration of livestock farming. Since 1948, people affected by Hansen's disease were forcibly relocated here, and livestock farming was encouraged to support their livelihoods, resulting in accumulated odor, water pollution, and environmental degradation.
Over time, the government established the 'Wanggung Environmental Improvement Master Plan' in 2010 and began purchasing livestock facilities one by one from 2011, laying the foundation for environmental recovery. After a long process, the purchase of all livestock facilities was completed in 2023, paving the way for the next step: ecological restoration.
Jeong Hun-yul, Mayor of Iksan, stated, "The Wanggung area, which has endured decades of pain, will be reborn as a space for healing and recovery. We will successfully carry out this flagship ecological restoration project, making it a source of pride for all citizens of Iksan-si and a model for South Korea."


kang1231@fnnews.com Kang In Reporter