"Abalone Price Plunge and Regional Economic Crisis"... Wando County Council Urges Government Support

Sluggish Consumption and Export Slowdown Lead to Severe Hardships for Fisheries

Emphasis on Transition to National Projects for Abalone Pen Reduction and Innovation Hub

Call for Inclusion of 'Yaksan–Geumil' Coastal Road in the 6th National Highway Plan

In order to overcome the crisis facing the abalone industry, which is the region's most urgent issue, and to expand transportation infrastructure, the Wando County Council has called for active support from the government and the National Assembly. On July 28, the Wando County Council announced that it had adopted the "Resolution to Request National Support for Wando County's Core Pending Projects" during its most recent session.

Through the resolution, the Council stated, "South Korea currently faces complex crises such as the overconcentration in the metropolitan area, the risk of regional extinction, climate change, and industrial structure transformation," and emphasized that "active support and bold investment by the government are essential to foster balanced national development and create growth drivers for local regions."

Wando County Council urged the government and the National Assembly with the "Resolution to Urge National Support for Wando County’s Core Projects," calling for four key demands. Provided by Wando County Council

In particular, the serious crisis faced by the abalone industry, the backbone of the Wando regional economy, was highlighted. The Council noted, "Wando is the largest abalone production area in the country and has been leading the fisheries industry based on its clean marine environment. However, despite increased production, consumption has slowed and exports have stagnated, resulting in a sharp decline in farm-gate prices." It further diagnosed, "This has led to severe business hardships for fishermen, financial instability, and an economic downturn in the region."

The Council also stressed the need for a national-level decision to restructure the abalone industry from a production-centric system to a high value-added industry focused on processing and exports, as well as to address the supply-demand imbalance caused by overproduction.

Furthermore, it requested the prompt implementation of transportation infrastructure projects that are key to constructing the wide-area transportation network along the southwestern coast. The Council stated, "The construction of the Wando–Goheung Coastal Tourism Road on National Route 27 is a critical national infrastructure project that will connect the last disconnected section of the southwestern coastal network." The Council continued, "This is a pressing task of our time that cannot be delayed further if we are to improve accessibility, invigorate marine tourism, and overcome the risk of regional extinction."

Accordingly, the Wando County Council strongly urged the government and the National Assembly to address four key demands.

The requests are as follows: ▲ To secure 25 billion won in national funding out of the total 50 billion won project budget for the Abalone Industry Innovation Hub Project without any setbacks; ▲ To expand the national support for the abalone pen reduction project and to include 7 billion won of government funding out of the 10 billion won budget for the 2027 initiative; ▲ To ensure the passage of the preliminary feasibility study for the first phase (Yaksan–Geumil) of the Wando–Goheung Coastal Tourism Road on National Route 27 and its inclusion in the 6th National Highway and Local Highway Construction Plan; ▲ To expand both national funding and institutional support for Wando County's core pending projects.

An official from the Council stated, "This resolution goes beyond simply addressing regional issues; it is a national agenda for the sustainable development of South Korea's fisheries industry and for balanced national progress," adding, "We will do our utmost until the government makes a responsible decision and provides practical support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.