Gangwon State Secures KRW 147.8 Billion in National Funding for Border Areas—the Largest Amount Ever

[Financial News, Chuncheon—Reporter Kim Gi-seop] National funding for next year's development projects in Gangwon's border areas has been set at KRW 147.8 billion, the largest amount ever secured by the state for this sector. This is KRW 47.4 billion, or 47%, more than this year's KRW 100.4 billion.
According to Gangwon State on the 20th, the secured funding accounts for 60% of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's (MOIS) total KRW 248.4 billion government budget proposal for next year's border-area development projects. These projects aim to revitalize the economies and improve the welfare of residents in 17 underdeveloped border-area cities and counties in Gangwon State, including Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu County, Inje County, Goseong County, Gangwon State, Chuncheon, and Sokcho. The projects are divided into the Border Area Development Support Project and the Special Circumstances Area Development Project. Gangwon State plans to use the newly secured funding to accelerate the expansion of basic infrastructure and the development of tourism facilities designed to attract longer stays in border areas.
The Border Area Development Support Project received KRW 71.1 billion, an increase of KRW 37.4 billion from this year. KRW 63.9 billion was secured for 12 continuing projects and KRW 7.2 billion for five new projects. The continuing projects include KRW 11 billion for developing themed border-area hubs in Chuncheon, Yanggu County, and Inje County; KRW 13.3 billion for building LPG pipeline networks in Cheorwon and Inje County; KRW 5.9 billion for creating a military personnel-themed street in Hwacheon; KRW 7.3 billion for projects linked to the East-West high-speed railway in Hwacheon, Yanggu County, and Inje County; and KRW 6.1 billion for developing smart nature rest areas in five counties.
The new projects include KRW 2.38 billion for infrastructure around Sokcho Station, KRW 3.48 billion for geotourism projects in Cheorwon, Inje County, and Goseong County, Gangwon State, KRW 700 million for the construction of Myeongseongsan Gungye Road in Cheorwon, and KRW 350 million for a project to simplify access through the Civilian Control Line in Yanggu County.
The Special Circumstances Area Development Project received KRW 76.7 billion, an increase of KRW 10 billion from this year. KRW 66.3 billion was secured for 55 continuing projects and KRW 10.4 billion for 11 new projects. The continuing projects include KRW 3.33 billion for turning Cheorwon UNESCO Global Geopark into a tourist attraction; KRW 2.65 billion for Hwacheon-style housing; KRW 3.85 billion for an indoor children's play facility in Yanggu County; KRW 4.55 billion for smart workation facilities in Inje County; and KRW 1.8 billion for design improvements to Gongjicheon Bridge in Chuncheon.
The new projects include KRW 3.9 billion for an urban-design pedestrian overpass in Inje County, KRW 3.1 billion for a drinking-water and clean-water supply system in Sokcho and Inje County, KRW 1.1 billion for comprehensive funeral-service infrastructure in Cheorwon, KRW 800 million for a sea bridge at Geonbongsa Temple in Goseong County, Gangwon State, and KRW 400 million for integrated support for mountain-region distribution in Chuncheon.
Gangwon State Governor Woo Sang-ho said, "The increase in funding for both the Development Support Project and the Special Circumstances Area Development Project, the two pillars of the effort, drove this achievement." He added, "With major pending issues, including the development of themed border-area hubs and projects linked to the East-West high-speed railway, now getting on track, I believe they will bring tangible vitality to the local economy." He also stated, "We will further strengthen the cooperation framework between the border-area cities and counties and central government ministries."
[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter