Governor Kim Building Future of Jeju
Hosting ASEAN Summit, Governor Says Jeju Has a Lot More to Show the World.
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Whenever Governor Kim Tae-hwan of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province talks about Jeju, there are certain emotions that come to mind ― pride, joy and achievement.
With the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit opening today, he is more than passionate to talk about how ``globalized'' Jeju has become. In his written interview with The Korea Times, the governor first talked about how Jeju got to host such an event.
``We had some strong competitors, but I was confident that we'd win ― we have already hosted several summits or bilateral meetings. The Korea-Russia, Korea-U.S., Korea-Japan and other historical events held here showed that Jeju is one of the top 10 sites in Asia for such large summit,'' he said.
However, he stressed that the ASEAN summit is nothing like those that have gone before. ``It is the 20th anniversary of Korea and ASEAN ties. Also, it is the first and the largest multilateral talks held on Jeju. The summit will be a perfect chance for Jeju to become a real global region supporting President Lee Myung-bak's new plan on pro-Asia diplomacy,'' he said. ``Jeju residents are also very proud to take part in the summit preparation,'' he added.
Foreign Investment Attraction
The summit could be a perfect stepping stone for Kim to promote the Jeju Free International City project, which aims at inducing foreign investors seeking less regulations and more risky but innovative businesses. Some of the most controversial plans involve making it an English speaking city and allowing capital-driven profit-seeking hospitals among others, as a test-bed for Korea as a whole.
Until now, foreigners have confirmed 2.6 trillion won in investments in eight fields ― about 21 billion won is already fixed the for information technology and biotechnology sectors.
``When the government first came out with the plan in 2002, everything seemed dim and unlikely. But since the central government guaranteed our autonomy by designating the province a special self-governing one, we are seeing progress,'' he said.
The project includes establishing a High Tech Science Technology Complex; Leisure Residence Complex; Myth, History Park; Healthcare Town; Seogwipo Tourism Port; Jeju Global Education City; Seogwipo 2nd Tourist Complex; Innovation City and Seongsan Marine Resort.
``Jeju is the only place where cooperative foreign educational institutions or medical facilities can be established. You will be able to see top-notch universities' Korean campuses, international pharmaceutical companies as well as hospitals here, and many other organizations will provide top international levels of service,'' he said.
The provincial government has sought to attract an overseas campus of the Helsinki School of Economics there, but the plan is under review. Still, he has high hopes. ``We still have time,'' he said.
Schools will be able to hire qualified foreign English teachers without any restrictions and Korean student enrollment at foreign or international schools will be up to 50 percent of the total. ``It is a great opportunity, right?'' he said.
Tourism Heaven
But most of all, the key to the project is to enhance Jeju's tourism industry to a whole new level. The Convention Anchor Hotel is under construction inside the Jungmun Resort at a cost of 284.7 billion won. A stadium for polo ― well known as a sport of the rich in Western countries but rather unfamiliar here ― is also being constructed.
``This year will be the year of `2-2', inducing 2 billion won and investing 2 billion won for the region,'' he said.
He said Jeju has much to offer in terms of tourism ― it is already the most popular domestic holiday and honeymoon destination. Having more than 5.5 million visitors annually, the government is thriving to pull the number to 6 million this year.
The central government has also put a lot of effort into this. To encourage the building of golf courses, which are one of the biggest attractions to middle aged men or businessmen on the island, punitive taxes were scrapped and only regular ones applied. Developers were allowed to build accommodation in ``green areas,'' which is banned in other regions.
``We have already seen about a 7-percent increase in the number of visitors ― especially among golf lovers which jumped 20 percent,'' he said. ``Exchange rates are drawing not only Koreans but also foreigners here and I am confident to say we are going to see more progress,'' he said.
Jaw-Dropping Experiences
The local administration is now refurbishing the infrastructure.
Joining hands with airlines, more daily flights are being scheduled to the island. Tourist spots as well as accommodation and restaurant owners are steadily giving out discounts to contain complaints that everything is more expensive on the island than the mainland.
``Jeju is the perfect place to experience eco-tourism. Jeju Ole, little pathways surrounding the island that were used by local residents for hundreds of years, will take people to the natural and humble side of Jeju. The lava tubes inscribed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO will wow people who have never been to a cave.
``The nightlife will bring jaw-dropping experiences to visitors with lightshows and theme-streets greeting them,'' he said.
He said the province now must focus on shopping and medical tourism. There are several hospitals, including the nation's largest spinal treatment facility Wooridul, seeking to build a medical complex, where patients can enjoy top class treatment, but still get time for leisure.
While such profit-seeking capital driven hospitals are banned on the mainland, Jeju has opened its arms to embrace such investments. ``The world medical tourism market is growing by 30 percent every year, or around $40 billion. It's time we jumped into it,'' he said.
``Here, foreign capital can build hospitals, install nearly all the devices they want and hire foreign medical staff freely,'' he said. ``Renowned foreign doctors will be able to prescribe or diagnose Korean patients via satellite,'' he said.
For shopping, Jeju has recently opened a duty-free store for Koreans in the Jeju City center. ``I am planning to designate the whole of Jeju a duty-free zone. Also, we are going to build more outlets for those who seek to have fun,'' he said.
He invited people to visit Jeju. ``Experience the natural surroundings and see what the future of Korea will be,'' he said.
