Hadong County Receives Presidential Citation for Creating Multi-Purpose Community Space at Former Hadong Station

Former Hadong Station Repurposed as “Dream Station,” Earning Recognition for Its Achievements
A Multipurpose Community Space Created for Youth Entrepreneurship, Employment, Childcare, and Culture
Project to Repurpose the Disused Hadong-Hoengcheon Railway to Be Linked with the “County Residents’ Happy Connection Trail” Project

Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province has received a Presidential Citation for a regional development project that repurposed a disused railway station to create youth employment, childcare, and cultural facilities.

Hadong County said on October 23 that its “Hadong Dream Station Development Project” received a Presidential Citation in the “2026 Balanced Growth Project Outstanding Cases” program hosted by the Presidential Committee on Local Era.

[Photo provided by Hadong County] Hadong County officials pose for a commemorative photo after receiving the Presidential Commendation for an Outstanding Case in the 2026 Balanced Growth Project. Hadong County was recognized for creating Hadong Dream Station at the site of the former Hadong Station, with facilities for youth entrepreneurship, jobs, caregiving and culture.

The project was recognized for using existing railway facilities and nearby underused spaces to create a multi-purpose community facility for young people and local residents, while improving conditions for people to settle in the area.

The “Hadong Dream Station Development Project” was selected in 2021 for a regional demand-based support program run by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The project introduced new functions in and around the former Hadong Station, which was closed following the Gyeongjeon Line double-tracking project, to create essential community facilities that young people and residents can use together.

The main facilities include a cafe for young entrepreneurs, an exhibition room, an integrated employment support center, a youth lounge, a community childcare center, and a toy library.

The project is notable for providing not only facilities to support youth entrepreneurship and employment, but also spaces for childcare, cultural activities, and community interaction.

In particular, rather than demolishing or leaving the former railway facilities unused, the project converted them into public facilities for local residents, making better use of the vacant space.

It also linked the facilities with a nearby youth town, creating a living environment that connects youth housing, employment support facilities, and childcare and cultural spaces.

Hadong County said it focused on supporting young people in settling in the area and improving residents’ daily convenience through this arrangement of facilities.

The project was recognized as a regional development example that responded to population decline by repurposing existing public facilities and vacant land and bringing multiple community services together in one location.

Following the award, Hadong County plans to expand community and cultural spaces by connecting the existing Dream Station with the surrounding area.

One of its key projects is the “County Residents’ Happy Connection Trail Project,” which will repurpose the disused railway between Hadong and Hoengcheon.

The county plans to improve the space along the disused railway and connect it with existing community facilities to expand the community and cultural infrastructure available to residents.

Hadong County Governor Kim Hyunsu said, “The award recognizes our work to turn the former Hadong Station into a space for community life, culture, and employment that young people and residents can use together. We will continue to improve the local living environment and expand public amenities in connection with the County Residents’ Happy Connection Trail Project.”

Hadong County plans to continue supporting young people in settling in the area and improving residents’ living environment by linking existing regional development projects, including Dream Station, with projects that repurpose disused railways.

The award is significant because it recognizes the use of a disused railway station as a community space combining youth employment, childcare, and cultural facilities. Going forward, it will be important to assess the project’s practical operating results, including facility usage rates and its impact on youth settlement.

In particular, attention will focus on whether its connection with the County Residents’ Happy Connection Trail Project leads to greater convenience for residents.

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