Holding of seminar and business agreement between related organizations to promote cruise industry in Saemangeum New Port

- Presenting a blueprint for becoming one of the top three domestic cruise home ports and ports of call within the next 10 years

Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency (hereinafter referred to as SDIA) Administrator Kim Kyeong-an announced on November 4, that SDIA signed a business agreement with Wonkwang University Hospital to revitalize the Saemangeum region and promote the health of its employees.



On November 15, at the Ramada Hotel (Gunsan, Jeonbuk state),

SDIA’ Administrator Kim Kyeong-an announced that in order to revitalize the Saemangeum New Port cruise industry, it signed a multilateral business agreement (MOU) with SDIA, Jeonbuk state, Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, Jeonju Immigration Office and Foreigner Office, Gunsan Customs, Gunsan National Quarantine Station, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, and National Fisheries Products Quality Management Service, and held a seminar with these related organizations.



The main contents of this business agreement include establishing an organic cooperative system to build a foundation for the Saemangeum cruise industry and continuously developing it, and activating the cruise industry such as fostering the Saemangeum New Port as a home port, as well as a port of call.



Through this agreement, we plan to support 11.1 trillion Korean won of private investment concentrated in Saemangeum and for each related organization to participate in activating new investment attraction by cruise industry companies to cooperate substantiality for the Saemangeum cruise industry.



In addition, we plan to discuss ways to attract cruise tourists with major ports of call and international cruise lines, share the entry and exit procedures for cruise tourists in major countries, and improve related domestic systems such as simplifying entry and exit procedures.



In parallel with the business agreement ceremony on that day, a ‘Seminar on the Promotion of New Port Cruise home ports and ports of call for the activation of the Saemangeum Cruise Industry’ was held jointly by the SDIA and the Jeonbuk state, where various discussions were held to revitalize the Saemangeum New Port cruise industry.



In particular, this seminar presented a blueprint that Saemangeum has an advantageous geographical position as it is adjacent to cruise tourist destinations such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and that if convenience for tourists is improved through ‘Fly & Cruise’, incentives, and construction of a cruise terminal linked to the Saemangeum New Airport, Saemangeum can emerge as one of the top three cruise home ports and ports of call in Korea within the next 10 years.



Kim Kyeong-an, the head of SDIA, said, “I hope that today’s agreement and seminar will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen communication and cooperation between organizations, and to continue to develop the Saemangeum New Port cruise industry.” He added, “We will work together to ensure that Saemangeum can rise as a cruise gateway in Northeast Asia, fulfilling the wishes of the people and residents of North Jeonbuk state.”