Governor Wi Seong-gon: "Jeju Tourism Structure Must Be Changed"... Consultations with JDC on Normalization of Yerae and Healthcare

[Financial News Jeju = Reporter Jeong Yong-bok] Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon announced plans to continue consultations with the Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC) to normalize the long-stalled Yerae Resort-type Residential Complex and Jeju Healthcare Town, and to transform the nature of Jeju's tourism industry from one centered on short-term visits to a four-season stay and experience-based industry.
It was reaffirmed that the collection of opinions from residents regarding the Jeju Second Airport would be completed by the first half of 2027, and that a public deliberation process would be established to allow residents to make a judgment based on sufficient information, rather than a method in which the governor unilaterally decides whether to support or oppose it.
Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon responded in this way to a question regarding provincial administration from People Power Party lawmaker Kim Hyo at the 2nd plenary session of the 454th 1st regular session of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council on the 3rd.
On this day, Assemblyman Kim Hyo focused his questioning on the structural crisis in Jeju tourism, the long-term stagnation of the Yerae Resort-type Residential Complex and Jeju Healthcare Town, Jeju-style integrated resorts, the resolution of the conflict over the second airport, and Jeju's representative permanent performances.
Governor Wi Seong-gon expressed agreement with the observation that Jeju tourism is facing structural difficulties. He assessed that Jeju is sensitive to changes in the external environment, such as air accessibility, domestic and international economic conditions, and exchange rates, and that the entire regional economy, including accommodation, food, and service industries, is affected when the tourism market declines.
Accordingly, they announced a plan to shift from the existing strategy, which focused on increasing the number of tourists, to one that improves the length of stay, consumption, and quality of experience.
Governor Wi responded with the intent that while tourism in the past focused on 'seeing' tourist destinations, it should transform into an industry where people directly experience the local culture, nature, and food.
It also presented a direction to restructure Jeju's tourism industry by expanding year-round stay-type tourism and international tourism content, and by cooperating with the central government, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Regarding Jeju-style integrated resorts, the position was expressed that the decision on whether to proceed would not be made solely on the basis of their potential for diversifying the tourism industry. The intention is that the judgment must be made after comprehensively weighing factors such as acceptance by local residents, effects on the regional economy, and the impact of the development.

He emphasized that the Yerae Resort-type Residential Complex, which has been stalled for a long time, would be treated as a joint priority issue by the provincial administration and JDC.
Governor Wi explained, "Even when I was serving as a member of the National Assembly, I consistently demanded that JDC normalize the business, and since being elected governor, I have continued to discuss related issues with the chairman of JDC."
JDC has also recently placed the normalization of the Yerae Complex and Jeju Healthcare Town as its top priorities. The project for the Yerae Resort-type Residential Complex has been suspended for a long time after land expropriation and permits were invalidated following a court ruling that the site lacked the public nature required for a recreational area.
JDC is repurchasing land returned to the original landowners to resume the project and has currently resecured approximately 80% of the project site. It is consulting with Jeju Province on a plan to switch from the existing amusement park development method to an urban development project capable of attracting private investment.
Jeju Province and JDC share the understanding that business restructuring and institutional improvements are necessary for the normalization of Jeju Healthcare Town. Last June, JDC renewed the business agreement for asset transfer with the operator, Nokji Jeju Healthcare Town Co., Ltd., and is pursuing the signing of a definitive agreement for asset acquisition within the year.
Governor Wi stated, "We will continue to pursue amendments to relevant laws in consultation with the National Assembly regarding necessary legal and institutional improvements to support the normalization of the Healthcare Town."

Regarding the second airport, the existing conflict resolution principles were further elaborated in the questions asked by other lawmakers prior to Rep. Kim's question on this day.
Governor Wi reiterated his plan to complete the collection of opinions from residents by the first half of 2027. The 'right to self-determination of residents' presented by the Transition Committee of the 9th popular election and the recommendations of the Jeju Provincial Social Agreement Committee also set the first half of 2027 as the target time for conflict resolution.
However, they clarified that this does not mean they intend to immediately choose between a referendum or a deliberative public opinion survey to ask for approval or disapproval.
Governor Wi placed emphasis on fully disclosing arguments for and against the second airport and creating a forum for public discussion where residents could discuss issues such as balanced regional development, environment, and safety together.
He also made remarks to the effect that "the decision of the residents is more important than the governor's." The explanation is that establishing a process that residents can trust is the priority, rather than determining a specific conclusion first and then soliciting opinions.

In the performing arts sector, a plan was also presented to create a permanent brand performance that would represent Jeju. Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Although Jeju possesses performance resources, including the Provincial Arts Troupe, a significant number of performances end after a short period, failing to grow into sustainable content that represents the island."
Governor Wi also agreed with this sentiment, stating, "We need permanent performances that can be staged for an extended period representing Jeju, rather than just a one-time joint performance by various groups." The plan is to improve the performance production system centered on provincial arts groups and foster representative brand performances unique to Jeju.
The Odeungbong Park Classical Music Hall, currently being pursued with the goal of opening in 2027, will also be utilized as a hub for change in the performing arts industry. Jeju Province is reviewing plans to create new performance content by linking preparations for the music hall's opening with innovation in the performance production system.
Representative Kim’s question on this day addressed long-standing challenges in Jeju’s tourism policy all at once, ranging from large-scale development projects that have been stalled for a long time to the structure of the tourism industry and cultural content. Governor Wi’s response also focused on connecting the normalization of the Yerae Complex and Healthcare Town, the transition to stay-type tourism, and the fostering of permanent performances into a single process of reorganizing the tourism industry.
The key going forward is to translate direction into an actual schedule. The effectiveness of the 9th popularly elected administration's tourism policy can only be gauged once the new business model and licensing schedule for the Yerae Complex, the acquisition of assets for the Healthcare Town and improvements to laws and regulations, the method for gathering public opinion regarding the second airport, and the production and operation entities for Jeju's representative permanent performances are concretized.


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