○ Gyeonggi Province announces results of 2021 contest for improving residential conditions of border villages utilizing empty houses
○ 332-7, Naengjeong-ri, Gwanin-myeon, Pocheon City selected for “Hantangang Cultural Village” project
– Revamping vacant village spaces to create traditional restaurants, guesthouses, young artist workshops, and more
– Connecting village to Jusangjeolli Trail by Hantangang River to create integrated tourism and cultural arts space
○ Expert consultations and resident training program planned for project sustainability

On November 4, Gyeonggi Province announced that the village of Naengjeong-ri in Pocheon City has been selected as the subject of a 2021 contest for improving residential conditions of border villages utilizing empty houses. Accordingly, it will be revamped as a cultural arts village that integrates cultural arts, tourism, and the Hantangang River.

The contest is geared to revitalize the border village, which has seen an outflow of residents due to the sluggish development of the region that is attributable in part to municipal regulations as well as to designation as a protection zone for military facilities.

The objective of the project is to refurbish empty houses and buildings in the area as profit-generating facilities and community amenities so as to improve the overall environment of the village.

Gyeonggi Province operated a contest for seven border villages in September, selected the most appropriate village through on-site visits made by the selection committee, and screened submitted documents in October. After another screening of presentations, Pocheon’s Naengjeong-ri received the highest score and was finally selected for the project.

Pocheon City will create the “Hantangang Cultural Arts Village” on a 6,620 m2 site at 332-7, Naengjeong-ni, Gwanin-myeon. This village will feature attractions and fun activities for both local residents and tourists, and will also be connected with surrounding tourist sites and the Jusangjeolli Trail by the Hantangang River, which has been in the limelight after being listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The project’s total budget of KRW 3 billion is being borne equally by Gyeonggi Province and Pocheon.

Through the project, unused facilities will be refurbished as traditional restaurants, traditional pubs, coffee shops, and Hantangang guesthouses to generate income for local residents.

Furthermore, it will support young and talented artists through the creation of arts exhibition facilities, living spaces, and workshops in the Hantangang region.

More importantly, experts on urban regeneration and space utilization will be consulted to enhance the effectiveness of this project. Structured as a sustainable project, residents are expected to personally manage and operate the renovated facilities after establishing a village company and participating in a related training program.

Lee Han-gyu, Director General for Balanced Development Planning of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, said, “We will undertake the project in good faith so as to improve the living environment of residents of border villages and enhance their quality of life.” He added, “We will continue to explore new policies and projects in line with our slogan: ‘A special reward for a special sacrifice.’”

Gyeonggi Province had previously selected Yangju City’s Bongam-ri in 2019 and Yeoncheon County’s Baekui 1-ri in 2020 for the same village development project, both of which are still ongoing.