Changwon, the capital of South Gyeongsang province in southeastern South Korea, has finalised a blueprint for its marine leisure industry as part of its vision to become a “global maritime economic city”, with a three-stage roadmap covering the next 15 years.
Deputy mayor Jeong Ho-won chaired the final briefing session at city hall, and marine leisure experts from the Korea Maritime and Fisheries Development Institute and the Changwon City Policy Research Institute took part in the discussion.
Developed over the past year, the plan aims to shape Changwon’s coastal areas and marine leisure industry by using its maritime resources and expanding related activities. A city official said the plan would help turn its maritime potential into an engine for economic growth, with industry, culture and tourism converging in a wider vision.
The plan follows a three-stage roadmap for the next 15 years: the short-term stage will focus on rediscovering Changwon’s maritime assets, the medium-term stage will build around the “sea to enjoy” concept and the long-term stage aims to establish Changwon as a global marine leisure hub.
In the Masan area, the city plans to improve its marine leisure centre and connect “sea stations” with wellness tourism. In the Changwon-Masan area, it will focus on waterfront culture by developing a platform to promote marine leisure and cultural activities, given its proximity to the city centre.
For Jinhae, the city plans a circular marine leisure belt and a “Global Marina Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Industry Cluster” at the 300-berth Myeongdong Marina, covering specialist workforce training, exhibitions and sales facilities. Other initiatives include urban festivals and safety education, including a mobile fishing school to support the mutual growth of fishing communities and local businesses.
