Interview with Mayor Kim Don-kon of Cheongyang County
The Cheongyang-gun County of the Chungncheongnam-do Province is blessed with many natural assets, e.g., the god-given sceneries and clean air, best-fit for golfers.
And this was immediately apparent at an interview with Mayor Kim Don-kon of the Cheongyang Country conducted by The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language publications since 1985.
Mayor Kim was obviously very proud of the natural beauty of his county, including the picturesque, and history-rich Chilgap-san Mountain noted for its splendid sceneries all year around together with various rest-recuperation-recreations facilities, including assets for the golf game lovers.
The following details were learned at the interview with Mayor Kim:
Of special note is the large park golf course with 108 holes will be built on the site of Gubong Mine in Guryong-ri, Namyang-myeon, which has been neglected for more than 50 years since its closure in 1971.
According to the Public Relations of the County government on March 16, 2023, Park Golf, one of the outstanding tourist attractions in the County, is a combination of Park and Golf.
Golf is a sport where you can communicate with your family and friends while enjoying the clean air and sunlight on a well-kept grass.
Golf is a friendly game with a very prominent increase in club members because it is not very restricted by equipment or time and the players do not feel burdened by "long-hitting."
On March 16, 2023, the Cheongyang County signed a memorandum of understanding with Chungcheongnam-do Province and the Korea Park Golf Association on the creation of a dedicated park golf course and education center.
This park golf course is known to invest 15 billion won (including national budget of 3 billion won) in 16 lots, including San 52-1, Guryong-ni, Namyang-myeon, to create 108-hole. 6-course golf field with 1,650 square meters of education centers and management buildings,
The Cheongyang County is also promoting a project to provide 1 billion won for land purchase (33,339㎡).
As of February 28, the domestic park golf market has a very wide base, reaching 350 golf courses alone. On the other hand, there are only 19 certified park golf courses that can hold national competitions.
Park Golf Course, which will be built in the Cheongyang County will be the largest in the Republic of Korea, and has a large simultaneous accommodation capacity.
The operation and management of the park golf course will be entrusted to the Korea Park Golf Association, and at least 200,000 people, including members of various national competitions, education leaders, and daily visitors, will visit our county annually to revitalize the local economy.
The Park Golf is a remarkable growth industry and a nature-friendly clean sport with great potential for development and accessibility.
As of the end of December 2022, the number of its members is 110,000, an increase of more than 60,000 compared with the figure of the previous year, but the park golf course is absolutely insufficient compared with the number of members.
Accordingly, the county is known to be focusing on developing various programs that can be enjoyed by families in connection with the Korea Park Golf Association so that many park golf enthusiasts can visit Cheongyang to help the local economy.
Residents of the county, especially those of Namyang-myeon, Guryong-ni, and nearby villages have been on the decline for more than 50 years since the closure of the Gubong Mine.
When there was a mine, the population of Namyang-myeon exceeded the population of Cheongyang-eup, and the number of county residents was 120,000.
Now, new changes and leaps have begun.
Currently, the average number of visitors to Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Golf Course, which is 54 holes, is 105,000 per month, and the number of visitors to Cheongyang, which is 108 holes, will exceed 210,000.
The Park Golf Course is a play and leisure facility, but also a health facility to prevent chronic diseases keeping in good health not only the residents but also all the visitors to the county and the region..
It is also a comprehensive welfare region that maintains psychological and social health and reduces medical costs through active physical activities of the elderly.
Also, the County plans to link Park Golf Course and Cheongyang's tourism resources densely.
Nearby, the County will create new tourist routes such as Baekwol-san Mountain, Seongtae-san Mountain and Nongam-ni Catholic Holy Land in Hwaseong-myeon, Chilgap-ho Lake, Chilgap-san Mountain, Janggok-sa Temple, and Cheonjangho Suspension Bridge, which are about 20 minutes away.
In particular, the Cheongyang County will focus its administrative power on creating a pleasant and eco-friendly stay space such as food and rest areas to become a new growth engine for our military.
Selection of life-long learning city by the Ministry of Education:
Organized by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education, it is good news that the Cheongyang-gun has been selected as a lifelong learning city designation project in 2023.
A lifelong learning city refers to an area where a learning community is formed where all residents can learn what they want.
Now, Cheongyang-gun also has a foundation for life-long learning such as organization, manpower, and budget based on state funds.
The County has gathered administrative power such as enacting ordinances, forming a dedicated team, recruiting lifelong educators, establishing lifelong learning centers in eup and myeon, and promoting the construction of lifelong learning centers.
In the future, the Cheongyang County will spend a total of 744 million won, including 90 million won in state funds, to promote 18 projects, including a lifelong learning festival and declaration events.
In addition, the County was selected as the target site for the Chungnam-type adult literacy sub-textbook "Seed of Hope" and language learning program pilot project, and began digital literacy education using language learners for the first time in the country.
In particular, along with the Lifelong Learning Center, which is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2025, the Cheongyang County promises to have a tight life-long learning system so that no county residents are alienated from the joy of learning.
Introduction to the Cheongyang County:
The Cheongyang County served as the cradle of a number of notable figures and patriots including Joseon Prime Minister Beonam Chae Je-gong, who led a cultural renaissance under King Jeongjo, Myeonam Choi Ik-hyeon, who became a symbol of patriotism, Min Jong-sik, the leader of the Hongju Righteous Army, and General Song Yo-chan, a hero in the Korean War who later served as the Prime Minister.
We are devoted to revitalizing the local economy, attracting new residents, nurturing talented individuals and bringing prosperity for all as part of our efforts to realize the vision of "Great Cheongyang, New Century." Also, through the 100-ri Waterway, 100-ri Flower Road Project, we are endeavoring to create a cleaner, more pleasant place to live and visit.
Our county is a place of warmth and friendliness, where the residents live in harmony with nature. Cheongyang has many things to offer, from the impressive tourist attractions around Chilgap-san Mountain to the specialty products such as Gugija (wolfberry), known to promote longevity, and the sweet and spicy Cheongyang chili pepper. So, visit us and create wonderful memories surrounded by nature.