Chungcheongnam-do

▲ Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Bureau Briefing

Chungnam Province is accelerating the establishment of a sophisticated cultural enjoyment foundation for local residents, including the construction of art galleries, as part of its leap towards becoming a "Luxurious Cultural Tourism City."
 
The province aims to create a culture and tourism city sought after by citizens across the nation through the construction of provincial cultural and sports facilities representing Chungnam, activation of the Baekje Cultural Complex, successful hosting of the Dae-Baekje Festival, and the establishment of a distinctive "Chungnam-style" workation.
 
Lee Geon-ho, the head of the Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, held a press briefing at the Provincial Office on the 26th, stating, "We are actively promoting policies in all areas of culture, sports, and tourism with momentum to meet the high expectations of the residents in the second year of the 8th Provincial Administration." He further mentioned, "We will rejuvenate as a tourism-attractive region based on the establishment of 'Chungnam Workation,' incorporating the latest tourism trends, and the successful hosting of the Dae-Baekje Festival."
 
◆ Steady Construction of Provincial Cultural and Sports Facilities
 
The Chungnam Art Museum, a prominent cultural and sports facility representing the province, is set to begin construction at the end of this year with the goal of opening by the end of 2025.
 
To highlight the identity of Chungnam's art before the museum's opening, the province plans to establish a collection plan that aligns with the direction of the Chungnam Art Museum (art, nature, technology), secure more than 100 exceptional works, and form a review committee for artwork collection by November.

The Chungnam Sports Center, which aims to address the leisure demand in NaePo ShinDo City, increased the total project cost from the initial 49.5 billion KRW to 54.5 billion KRW due to factors such as inflation caused by COVID-19. The center is anticipated to become a landmark for Chungnam's sports and will open in the first half of next year.
 
The Chungnam Park Golf Course project, in collaboration with the Korea Park Golf Association's relocation to Chungnam, will establish a park golf course and an education center at the former Gubong Mine site in Cheongyang County. The project is aiming for completion in the first half of 2025. The province plans to initiate the basic plan and design after this year's local financial investment review.
 
After completion, the golf course will host national tournaments more than 10 times a year, and through the attraction of international events, it will lead the entire country as the mecca of park golf in South Korea.
 
◆ Promotion of Residual Private Sector Projects to Boost Local Economy in the Baekje Cultural Complex Area

The private sector project in the Baekje Cultural Complex has faced challenges due to economic slowdown caused by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, following the completion of condominiums, a public golf course, and an outlet as part of the private investment agreement between the province and Lotte Buyeo Resort Co., Ltd. in 2008.
 
In response, the province engaged in close discussions with Hotel Lotte Co., Ltd. in the second year of the 8th Provincial Administration and finalized a 120 billion KRW investment plan for the residual private sector project.
 
The key facilities to be introduced include a luge course spanning 251,239 square meters (over 76,000 pyeong), a media art gallery, a traditional Korean hanok-style hotel (village), and a glamping site.
 
In April, the project was officially launched, including the selection of consulting services for the detailed implementation design of the residual private sector project. The province aims to develop a detailed plan for the Baekje Cultural Complex, incorporating the residual project, by the end of the year, with the goal of opening the new facilities by 2026.
 
Continuing into the first half of next year, the province will smoothly proceed with the approval process for the complex's establishment. Through uninterrupted promotion of the private sector project, the Baekje Cultural Complex is expected to transform into a prominent tourist attraction.
 
◆ Moving Beyond a Local Festival to Globalization: The Vision of Dae-Baekje Festival
 
The 2023 Dae-Baekje Festival is the largest historical and cultural event in the nation, taking place after a 13-year gap since 2010. With the goal of globalizing the "Baekje Cultural Festival," preparations are in progress.
 
Aiming to attract over 20,000 international tourists, the Dae-Baekje Festival is focusing on attracting overseas visitors from countries such as Japan, China, and major Southeast Asian nations. Nine foreign delegations, as well as ten performing groups, are being invited as part of efforts to attract substantial overseas tourists.
 
In May, the province concentrated its promotional efforts in key Japanese cities such as Kumamoto, Osaka, Shizuoka, and Tokyo. The province expects this year's Dae-Baekje Festival to serve as a signal of the renewed cultural exchange between South Korea and Japan that had been halted due to COVID-19 and international circumstances.
 
To achieve the target of 1.5 million attendees, the festival is developing differentiated content from previous Baekje Cultural Festivals, including advanced technology and content tailored for the MZ (Millennial and Generation Z) demographic.
 
Additionally, through marketing and program development reflecting the preferred tourism characteristics of each nation, the province aims to attract sustainable overseas tourists to the Baekje Cultural Festival. Administrative efforts will also be focused on meticulous considerations such as accommodation and safety management strategies.
 
◆ "More Frequent and Longer Stays" - Chungnam-Style Workation
 
From April to June, the province has been operating a pilot project called "Workation Chungnam" to establish a "workation" environment, where individuals work while vacationing at leisure destinations. The pilot project took place in four regions: Buyeo City, Buyeo County, Yesan County, and Taean County.
 
A diverse range of workers, including professionals from various fields such as construction, logistics, and freelancers, participated in the project, following an agreement reached in March with companies like Hoban Construction, Hyundai Glovis, Stellantis, researchers, and freelancers. The satisfaction level was remarkably high, leading to the extension of the program in Taean County until the end of this month.
 
The second-half program, scheduled from September to October, incorporates feedback from participants in the first half and will include tailored special packages (6 nights and 7 days) in collaboration with partner companies such as Yanolja.
 
Analyzing the results of this year's pilot project, the province plans to further develop and refine the "More Frequent and Longer Stays" concept of Chungnam-Style Workation.

Lee Geon-ho, the head of the Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, emphasized the significance of enjoying quality rest and leisure through cultural, artistic, and sports activities for the overall well-being of residents. He expressed a deep sense of responsibility to enhance residents' mental and physical health and leisure satisfaction. He also highlighted the commitment to creating a distinctive culture unique to Chungnam.
 
 
Department in Charge: Cultural Policy Division
Tel Number : 041-635-3811