A study on the Regional regeneration and youth cultural activities in the island fishing village of Gukhwado

Abstract

Korea is facing a declining population and an aging population, which is leading to a rise in sprawl. Various policies and measures are being explored at the national level to solve this problem, but they are not having much effect. The biggest problem with regional decline is the disappearance of young people and the aging population, which is caused by the influx of young people into large cities such as the Seoul metropolitan area and the natural marginalization of rural areas. This problem is more severe in island fishing villages than in general rural areas. The Gyeonggi-do Fishermen’s and Fisherwomen’s Support Center conducted capacity-building projects for fishermen and cultural activities for youth centered on Pungdo Island in 2020 and Gukhwado in 2021, and achieved significant results. In particular, the center conducted unconventional youth cultural activities by analyzing problems from the perspective of young people and exploring alternatives for promoting Gukhwado and revitalizing tourism. The youth, mainly university students, analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of Gukhwado and came up with revitalization plans based on them. For example, they pointed out problems in marginalized areas, such as signage problems, marine garbage, and problems receiving electronic boards. In order to resolve these inconveniences and promote the hardware-oriented development of the Fishing Village New Deal 300, the government proposed a plan to implement the ‘Friendly Chrysanthemum Seed’ program, install digital tourist information signs, campaigns and educational activities, Smart Island Ecotourism, establish smart city services, install public wireless internet (Wi-Fi), and provide convenience for tourists. It is of great significance that it solved the problem of Gukhwado through youth cultural activities and presented a new solution to solve the disappearance of island fishing villages. The government is carrying out the Fishing Village New Deal 300, and while such hardware-centered development is important, it is also necessary to transform the island fishing village into a livable island through cultural activities and establish it as a prosperous island. Gukhwado, which was presented as an example, is also a representative area where young people are disappearing, and by pointing out the problem and deriving solutions from the perspective of young people, we are diagnosing the fundamental problem of “why” young people are turning away from island fishing villages. In this respect, Gukhwado can be seen as a novel youth cultural activity success story.