South Chungcheong Province charts new course for marine tourism through energy transition

South Chungcheong Province is looking to build new momentum for marine tourism by driving an eco-friendly energy transition along its western coastal region.

Governor Park Soo-hyun visited Boryeong on Tuesday for the eighth stop of his "Chungnam Tonghaeng" (a provincial listening tour), where he gathered residents' views on local issues and shared his vision for the province's direction under the ninth elected administration, along with plans for Boryeong's development.

The day's schedule included a breakfast meeting with Boryeong Mayor Eom Seung-yong, followed by a press briefing, a visit to the city council and a public dialogue session.

To support Boryeong's sustainable development, the province will prioritize a just transition — one that brings together workers and local residents — in response to the planned closure of coal-fired power plants.

The province will work to ensure that subordinate legislation — including enforcement decrees for the special act supporting coal power plant workers and affected communities, which passed the National Assembly plenary session in August — reflects provisions for local fiscal support, alternative industry development and employment stability for workers.

The province also plans to respond to the designation of just transition special zones in affected areas such as Boryeong, while drawing up a master plan and reorganizing support frameworks to underpin industrial transformation and economic recovery.

The province will also accelerate the development of a future hydrogen industry by leveraging its existing energy infrastructure. Plans call for building a hydrogen city in Boryeong, establishing production, supply and utilization facilities — including hydrogen production plants, pipeline networks and fuel cells — and supporting the expansion of technology development and demonstration infrastructure such as a liquefied hydrogen research institute and a hydrogen turbine test and research center.

This foundation will be linked to the existing power generation industry and private investment, with the aim of developing Boryeong into a hydrogen and energy convergence hub on the west coast.

The province will also push to expand its regional transport network to support Boryeong's industry, tourism and residents' daily needs. For a planned expressway connecting Boryeong to Daejeon via Buyeo, Gongju, Nonsan and Gyeryong, the province will coordinate with relevant local governments and agencies to have the project included in national plans such as the third expressway construction plan.

For the second phase of the Janghang Line upgrade and double-track electrification project, the province will strengthen cooperation with local lawmakers and relevant agencies to secure government budget funding on schedule and achieve early completion.

The province will also pool efforts to advance follow-up procedures — including securing design funding — for the National Route 77 Nampo–Sinheuk bypass, which has already cleared a preliminary feasibility review.

Boryeong's islands and coastal waters will be developed into a hub for extended-stay marine tourism. The province will focus its administrative resources on winning a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries competitive grant and attracting private investment to build a complex marine leisure and tourism city linking five islands — Wonsando, Sapshido, Godaedo, Janggodo and Hyojado.

The province plans to advance foundational projects — including a marine leisure center and natural recreation forest on Wonsando and restoration of tidal flat vegetation — while connecting these to west coast marine ecology and cultural tourism resources to encourage longer tourist stays and greater local spending.

Preparations are also under way for the inaugural Island Biennale. Co-hosted by the province and Boryeong and organized by the Island Biennale Organizing Committee, the event is scheduled to run for two months from April 3 to May 30, 2027, across Wonsando and Godaedo, under the theme "Moving Island: Beyond the Horizon of Events."

The province intends to broaden participation by local artists and residents, develop the event into an international cultural festival, and use it to raise awareness of the islands' historical, cultural and ecological value.

Alongside these efforts, the province will expand testing, certification and evaluation infrastructure for core eco-friendly vehicle components in the Gwanchang district, strengthening the competitiveness of the auto parts industry and creating new growth opportunities as the sector transitions to future mobility.

"I will communicate on the ground and work together with Boryeong to ensure that the city's energy transition and leap forward in marine tourism translate into jobs for residents, vitality for the local economy and a better everyday life," Park said.

Park is scheduled to continue the Chungnam Tonghaeng tour in Buyeo on Thursday and Seosan on Monday, followed by Gyeryong on Oct. 23, with visits to Nonsan, Seocheon, Cheonan and Yesan planned for next month.