Wando–Goheung to Enter the '30-Minute Era' as Yaksan–Geumil Connecting Bridge Passes Pre-Feasibility Study

A Total of KRW 573.2 Billion Invested in Wando and Haenam
Two-Hour Travel Time Reduction Achieved

National Route 77 Nears Completion
Driving the Economic Belt Forward

Fruit of Collaboration Between Park Ji-won and Wando County

"A Bridge to Prevent Regional Decline"

The long-awaited project of Wando-gun and Haenam-gun in South Jeolla Province has passed the preliminary feasibility study (pre-feasibility study) conducted by the government, paving the way for a dramatic improvement in accessibility to major cities in the Honam region. This development not only ensures improved mobility rights for island residents but also gives a boost to the creation of the South Coast Economic Belt.

On August 26, Wando-gun announced that the Wando Yaksan~Geumil Connecting Bridge construction project (National Route 27) has finally passed the comprehensive pre-feasibility assessment, organized by the Ministry of Planning and Budget. In addition, the Haenam Bukil~Gangjin Doam Local Road 55 improvement project also received final approval through the same assessment process.

Aerial view of the Wando Yaksan to Geumil connecting bridge

The total project costs amount to KRW 455 billion and KRW 118.2 billion, respectively. The Wando Yaksan~Geumil Connecting Bridge, with a total length of 7.8 kilometers, is a large-scale project that has attracted heightened expectations from residents since National Route status was conferred in 2021.

This successful passage of the pre-feasibility study is significant as it acknowledges the necessity of expanding the national arterial road network, overcoming the limitations of traditional cost-benefit (B/C) analysis. In particular, the construction of the Yaksan~Geumil Connecting Bridge carries great significance for the nation in completing the Southwest Coast ring road (Yeonggwang–Busan) on National Route 77.

Once the entire Wando~Goheung section is completed, the travel time between Wando and Goheung will be reduced from the current 2 hours and 30 minutes to just 30 minutes—a reduction of 2 hours. This is expected to bring significant positive impacts to the local economy, not only by enhancing convenience but also by reducing logistics costs and revitalizing coastal tourism.

The Haenam Bukil~Gangjin Doam Local Road improvement project will also significantly improve accessibility from Haenam toward Gwangju and Suncheon by straightening and upgrading a 14.2-kilometer two-lane road. This is anticipated to further strengthen the wide-area transportation network in the eastern part of South Jeolla Province.

This achievement is the result of close collaboration between the local political community and municipal administrations. Park Ji-won, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo, personally met with officials from the presidential office, the Ministry of Planning and Budget, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to advocate for the progress of these projects.

In particular, Assemblyman Park stated, "In May last year (2025), I not only participated directly in on-site inspections by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Land, but also personally advised President Lee Jaemyung of the importance of connecting Yaksan, Geumil, Geumdang, and Goheung, taking the lead in persuading the government."

He added, "Going forward, I will continue to ensure that this project proceeds smoothly toward early completion, while also actively pursuing the passage of a pre-feasibility study for the second-phase section connecting Geumil and Geumdang to Goheung."

Likewise, Wando County Governor Kim Shin has, since the start of his term, repeatedly emphasized the urgency of the project in meetings with the Vice Minister of Planning and Budget and officials of the Jeonnam–Gwangju Special Integrated City. Governor Kim said, "The construction of the Yaksan~Geumil Connecting Bridge will safeguard the lives of island residents and bring hope to our region threatened by regional decline. I extend my deep gratitude to Assemblyman Park Ji-won and the related government agencies who put in extensive effort to secure the pre-feasibility approval, as well as to the residents who have continually shown tremendous support for the county's development."

Jung Inho, head of Geumil-eup, emphasized, "The Yaksan~Geumil Connecting Bridge is the 11th connecting bridge project promoted by Wando-gun and marks the last section of the South Coast tourist road. Being able to access the mainland by car, rather than by boat, is both a matter of survival and a long-held wish for islanders."

The projects that have passed the pre-feasibility assessment will be included in the plan scheduled to be announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the second half of the year and will be sequentially implemented. Experts forecast that these projects will not only expand the region's transportation infrastructure but also generate significant economic ripple effects, including the creation of local jobs during construction and the establishment of a wide-area economic zone along the South Coast.

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