The provincial government has spent billions of won to revamp a number of area roads into so-called themed streets. The idea was to breathe new life into areas that were becoming less popular but still deemed important. The results, as Joseph Kim now reports, have been decidedly mixed.
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Samseonghyeol Cultural Street
‘Little to show’ for \2.77b investment

This is Samseonghyeol Cultural Street in Jeju City.

2.77 billion won has been invested since 2009, highlighting historic sites like Samseonghyeol and Ohyeondan, in hopes that the cultural value could lure more visitors.

But taking a look at the street, it is a bit too quiet. Pedestrians passing by aren’t even aware that it is the cultural street.

Interview
Kim Do-jin / Ido-dong, Jeju City
It doesn’t look different from any other street, and there is no sign indicating it is a cultural street. I didn’t know that it was.
<인터뷰: 김도진 /제주시 이도동>
"일반 도로랑 별반 다를거 없었고, 문화의 거리라는 표지판도 없어서 문화의 거리인지 몰랐어요."

Including the cultural street, there are 23 themed streets in Jeju. To make better use of the themed streets, research was conducted in 2015 and reported that many of the streets are not that effective.


The Lee Jung-seop cultural street got the most points with 76 and the Baozen and Tapdong themed streets each received 70 points.

Samseonghyeol cultural street and Samdoi-dong cultural art street, as well as the Seobudu raw fish street got around 50 points.


Research results pointed out that the organizational structure of each of these districts is managed differently.

[CAMERA]
Moon Ho-seong

Also, since it is not easy to access the themed streets from surrounding areas, it was recommended that pedestrian-friendly facilities should be improved. Based on the research, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province will begin work from 2017.

Interview
Han Woong / Provincial government
After analyzing the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposals, as well as considering the budget and short- and long-term plans, we will begin work in 2017.
<인터뷰: 한웅/ 道 문화산업담당>
"타당성 검토부터 효과까지 분석한 다음에 사업의 규모나 예산의 투자정도를 감안해서 단계적으로 단기, 중기, 장기 검토를 해서 내년도 부터 시작할 것 같습니다."

[REPORTER]
Joseph Kim

Whether the underperforming themed streets can revitalize their respective areas remains to be seen, but hopes are that after implementing the changes the streets will be bustling once again.

Joseph Kim KCTV