Chungcheongnam-do Province accelerates efforts to designate Garorim Bay as a National Marine Ecological Park and secure government funding, holding a kick-off meeting for the preliminary feasibility study response project.

Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea – Chungcheongnam-do Province is actively pursuing the designation of the Garorim Bay area, spanning Seosan and Taean, as a National Marine Ecological Park and the acquisition of necessary government funding. Following Governor Kim Tae-heum's announcement in July of the previous year to continue the project without interruption, the province is formulating strategies to ensure the selection and successful passage of a preliminary feasibility study for the comprehensive plan, estimated at over 440 billion KRW.

On April 24th, the province held a kick-off meeting for the preliminary feasibility study response project in the small conference room of the Provincial Government Office. The meeting was attended by approximately 20 individuals, including Provincial Vice Governor for Political Affairs Jeon Hyeong-sik, Seosan City Vice Mayor Hong Soon-gwang, Taean County Director-General for Industry and Construction Kim Nam-yong, representatives from the Korea Maritime Institute, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, and the Chungnam Institute. The agenda included a report on the project's implementation plan, expert consultation, and discussions.

The project, a collaborative effort between the province, Seosan City, and Taean County, will be conducted by Yoojin Urban Architecture Research Institute over a 21-month period until December of the following year. The scope of the project encompasses the analysis of comprehensive development conditions in the Garorim Bay area, the detailed conceptualization of the National Marine Ecological Park project, and a feasibility study for its establishment.

Through this project, the province will analyze the natural environment and human-social environment of Garorim Bay, the regional economy, infrastructure environment and characteristics, review the current status and plans for metropolitan and regional transportation networks, and analyze its connectivity with national plans.

Furthermore, the project will analyze comprehensive development conditions by forecasting changes in internal and external environments, analyzing related plans and systems, conducting comparative studies of domestic and international cases, and deriving implications for sustainable development.

The project will also detail the National Marine Ecological Park project from the perspective of sustainable use based on the systematic preservation of Garorim Bay, including △vision and goals, △setting basic directions, △setting planning indicators, △basic conceptual design, and △spatial and facility layout.

In conjunction with this, the justification and policy feasibility of the National Marine Ecological Park project, as well as an economic feasibility review, will be conducted.

The province aims to secure the designation of Garorim Bay as a National Marine Ecological Park this year and further strengthen its policy and economic feasibility by achieving UNESCO World Natural Heritage listing next year, thereby securing its legal status.

Simultaneous with this project, the province plans to apply for the preliminary feasibility study to the government in September of this year, with the goal of receiving a positive outcome next year.

Vice Governor Jeon Hyeong-sik emphasized, "Garorim Bay is a treasure trove of marine ecology, and the designation and creation of a National Marine Ecological Park are crucial for its efficient preservation and utilization. Through this project, we will concretize a systematic and sustainable plan and strive to pass the preliminary feasibility study with a well-structured strategy."

The establishment of the Garorim Bay National Marine Ecological Park is a project aimed at systematically preserving and managing the marine ecosystem of Garorim Bay, located between Seosan City and Taean County, and revitalizing the region through orderly and appropriate utilization.

Garorim Bay, part of the West and South Sea tidal flats, one of the world's top five tidal flats and the nation's first and largest marine life protection area, is planned to be transformed into a premium ecological space where nature, humans, the sea, and life harmoniously coexist.

The comprehensive plan, formulated last year to secure momentum for the renewed 추진 of the National Marine Ecological Park project, envisions "Garorim Bay National Marine Ecological Park where the sea and life are both healthy," with basic directions focusing on △systematic preservation and △sustainable utilization of the marine ecosystem.

Detailed projects include △marine ecosystem monitoring, △tidal flat ecosystem restoration, △reduction of coastal pollutants, △freshwater lake ecosystem restoration, △Garorim Bay ecological trail, △ecological exploration waterway, △Garorim Bay Academy, △West Sea tidal flat ecological park, and △spotted seal observation center. The total project budget is estimated at 443.1 billion KRW.