- From yachts to resorts, all in a single location -

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister: CHO Seung-Hwan) and Siheung City (Mayor: LIM Byeong-Taek) plan to host a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the only marine leisure tourism base within the capital region of Korea, adjacent to Geobugseom of Sihwa Lake, on December 5th. Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Song Sang-geun, Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi-do, National Assembly members Cho Jeong-shik, Moon Jeong-bok, and Chairman Song Mi-hee of Siheung City Council will also be present at the ceremony.

 With the objectives to enrich the leisure lifestyle of the people and to vitalize the marine tourism sector, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is currently driving the construction of marine leisure tourism infrastructure across the country based on the marine characteristics of each zone, where it has divided the nation into 7 regional zones*. The ultimate goal is to ensure access to various marine leisure activities within a 2 hour radius from everyone’s homes.

 * Capital zone, Western coastal zone, Archipelago zone, Jeju zone, Hallyeosudo zone, Southeast zone, and Eastern coastal zone

 To date, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries have selected a total of five* local government bodies, including Siheung, as candidates for the project via public recruitment efforts. It plans to select one additional local government in 2023.

 * Gangwon-do Goseong-gun, Jeju Special Self-governing Province, Boseong-gun, Gunsan-si, and Siheung-si

 Siheung City is the only marine leisure tourism base project operator in the capital region among the 7 zones and plans to construct its marine leisure tourism base under the overarching theme of a marina. By 2024, a marina port with mooring facilities that can house a total of 90 ships and a three-storied club house is expected to open in Geobugseom of the Sihwa Lake. Sihwa Lake, which allow for operation of leisure boats throughout the year and will help meet the huge demand for leisure in the capital region, encompassing Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do, has proven an ideal site for the project. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will be covering a total of KRW 16.8 billion, roughly half of the total project cost of KRW 33.6 billion.

 Once complete, the project is expected to energize the local economy, together with surrounding tourism resources, including Aqua Pet Land, Marine Ecology Museum, the Geobugseom resort complex, and Street Mall 2. The project is slated to emerge as the ‘Sentosa of Korea,’ an integrated site that allows visitors to enjoy leisure activities and experiences, shopping, and rest at the same time. Aqua Pet Land will be constructed as a base for the aquarium fish industry, responsible for the end-to-end process from production, research, and distribution as a one-stop service, while the Marine Ecology Museum shall function as a venue for restoration and proliferation of endangered marine species as well as for training on marine ecology. These facilities are to be opened in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has provided support for the construction budget of both facilities.

 Vice Minister Song Sang-geun of Oceans and Fisheries expressed his hopes that the “Siheung Marine Leisure Tourism Base Project will satiate the thirst for marine leisure in the capital region” while reaffirming the “commitment of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to continue driving a series of projects, including the construction of a Marine Healing Center, a marina port hub, and a consolidated marine leisure tour city, in a responsible manner to fulfill its role in expanding leisure lifestyles and to revitalize the marine leisure tourism sector.”