Three Gangwon fishing ports selected for government's 2027 Village New Deal program

Three ports in Gangwon Province — Mukho Port in Donghae, home to the nationally popular Mukho Lighthouse area and Nongol Damgil alley, Samcheok Port (Jeongrajin) in Samcheok, and the Gyoam and Munam 2-ri ports in Goseong-gun — have been selected for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' 2027 Fishing Village New Deal 3.0 project.

Gangwon Province secured a clean sweep, with all three of its nominated sites making the final cut.

According to Gangwon Province on Monday, the selections secure a total project budget of 70 billion won ($51.6 million), including 37 billion won in national funding, to modernize basic infrastructure at fishing villages and ports and drive tailored development strategies for each area.

Governor Woo Sang-ho has personally overseen the application process since taking office in June, directing officials to pursue the Fishing Village New Deal 3.0 competition with a two-track strategy of preserving each village's traditional character while modernizing its facilities.

The provincial government set the strategic direction for the applications, ran ongoing consultations with fishing village and port regeneration experts, and worked closely with political circles to mount a full-scale effort.

Mukho Port in Donghae and Samcheok Port, both designated as economic-leap type sites, will each receive 30 billion won for large-scale redevelopment.

Mukho Port will be developed into a year-round marine tourism hub through a combined fisheries and tourism complex — featuring a live and fresh fish market and a youth startup mall — alongside improvements to pedestrian access, the creation of a hillside boutique hotel, enhanced nighttime lighting, and upgrades to sanitation facilities at the port.

Samcheok Port will be transformed into an economic hub where history, culture and the arts come alive, through a waterfront space linked to the Jeongna cultural arts venue, the conversion of a tsunami safety tower into a tourism attraction alongside the creation of a scenic alleyway, and a combined seafood processing and sales center integrated with fishing support facilities.

Goseong-gun, selected as a recovery-type site, will receive 10 billion won to expand essential community infrastructure around the Gyoam and Munam 2-ri port area, including care spaces, expanded walkways, restroom upgrades, a new fishing village station and parking facilities.

"The selection of all our nominated sites in this Fishing Village New Deal 3.0 competition is a precious achievement, built on our province's pristine marine resources through the united efforts of fishing communities and local governments," Governor Woo said. "We will focus all of the province's capabilities on implementing tailored projects that reflect the distinct character of Donghae, Samcheok and Goseong — improving the long-neglected fishing village environment and creating vibrant coastal communities where young people want to return and pursue their dreams."