Chungnam Province opened the renovated Hongye Park in Naepo New Town (Chungnam Innovation City) for temporary public use on the 18th, repositioning it as a family-centered destination designed for longer visits.
Hongye Park, one of Naepo New Town’s signature sites, began a major makeover in January 2025 to move beyond a walk-focused facility and become a high-quality park where family life, culture and nature coexist.
Although the park was originally scheduled for completion in September 2026, the provincial government accelerated access and opened nearly the entire site on this date—excluding water-play attractions and several finishing touches—to meet public demand.
The renovation substantially increased shaded areas and expanded walking paths, and it strengthened family-oriented experiential spaces such as children’s play areas, reshaping the park into a cultural and recreational destination.
The park is organized into three zones—Family Park, Ungbi Plaza and Jamiewon—each assigned distinct functions so visitors can choose spaces that match their needs.
The Family Park reflects the character of a young, dynamic city and provides spaces for children and families; major additions include a children’s playground, a water-play area, a skate park and an artificial waterfall.
A 10 m (33 ft) play tower in the children’s playground enables active, dynamic play. The water-play area includes a shipwreck-style play structure, a water tunnel and a large trampoline designed for year-round use.
Ungbi Plaza includes a lawn roughly twice the size of a soccer field and a large outdoor stage, creating an open venue for performances, relaxation and picnics.
The Jamiewon zone features themed gardens—rose and hydrangea gardens and a native wildflower garden—and a Hongye rest pavilion that overlooks Jamiewon, reinforcing the park’s restorative and leisure functions.
The park also adds a variety of themed walking paths—barefoot clay trails, Zelkova-tree avenues, pine-forest paths, king-cherry lanes and a metasequoia promenade—enhancing the pleasure of walking. Water features such as Suam Waterfall and adjacent streams provide cooling vistas.
Planners planted symbolic and historically significant trees—including Zelkova trees that survived the Hongseong wildfire and heirloom specimens like Jeongipumsong and Seongsammun paulownia—and introduced regional signature species such as Korean juniper, white pine and cornelian cherry to improve the landscape’s coherence.
The park’s ecological value is notable as well: the endangered white water-lily grows here naturally, and a family of protected otters has been observed in the area.
Trees within the park were planted through a citizen-driven “Citizen Participation Forest Planting Project,” in which 1,432 residents and groups from across the country volunteered; a “Donor Wall” was also created to honor participants’ contributions.
The province intends to develop Hongye Park into a multipurpose cultural venue by linking programs to nearby cultural institutions.
Key initiatives will include outdoor reading programs in collaboration with the Chungnam Provincial Library and expanded outdoor exhibitions and performances coordinated with a planned museum (opening 2027) and an arts center (opening 2029).
Somyeong-su, Director of Balanced Development, said, “Following the opening, we will continue facility upgrades and roll out diverse programs so residents keep returning. Because we opened early, some sections remain under construction—please exercise caution for your safety.”
AI special committee appoints Seoul National University data-AI expert Yoo Jae-min as member
A data-AI specialist has joined the Chungnam “AI Dream Team,” which already includes executives from global big tech and leading domestic university and research institute AI experts, accelerating the province’s AI transformation.
On the 17th, Governor Kim Tae-heum met with Professor Yoo Jae-min of Seoul National University’s Department of Computer Science in the governor’s reception room and formally appointed him to the Chungnam AI Special Committee.
The committee serves as an advisory body composed of executives from global tech firms—such as Google Cloud Korea and IBM Korea—faculty from Seoul National University and KAIST, and researchers from major domestic institutions.
It reviews and advises on Chungnam’s AI transformation strategy and subsequent implementation plans, acting as a central control tower to drive AI adoption across industries in the province.
The appointment expands the committee from 32 to 33 members.
Professor Yoo, an expert in data-driven AI and machine learning, has focused his research on AI decision models that can be applied in advanced industrial settings.
The province expects him to play a key role in accelerating AI transformation (AX) across Chungnam’s core industries—semiconductors, displays and mobility manufacturing.
Governor Kim said, “Chungnam is a strategic hub leading Korea’s advanced manufacturing sectors, including semiconductors and displays. Centered on the AI Special Committee, we are building an execution system for AI transformation across industries. With this new expert addition, we will refine a Chungnam-specific AI strategy and lead future industrial competitiveness.”
46th Day of Persons with Disabilities ceremony…awards and community fair
On the 17th, Chungnam Province held the 46th Chungnam Day of Persons with Disabilities ceremony at Hongju Sports Complex under the slogan “A Normal Life Everyone Can Enjoy.”
Organized by the Korea Association of the Physically Disabled, Chungnam chapter, the event drew about 3,000 attendees, including Governor Kim Tae-heum, disability advocates and local residents. The program featured celebratory performances, the reading of a Disability Rights Charter, awards for exemplary citizens with disabilities and a community fair.
At the awards ceremony, the governor presented commendations to 15 exemplary people with disabilities who contributed to local development and the advancement of disability rights, and he gave plaques of appreciation to individuals who helped improve disability welfare.
Attendees then participated in a community fair that included a regional singing contest and other activities designed to foster communication and unity.
In his keynote, Governor Kim said, “Chungnam is building a strong welfare system where people with disabilities and their families can rely on support in daily life. We will create a disability-friendly Chungnam that leaves no one behind and ensures everyone can enjoy ordinary daily life.”
Province convenes regional council for North Korean defectors…seeking settlement support
Chungnam Province convened the first 2026 regional council meeting on support for North Korean defectors to gather frontline perspectives and strengthen settlement assistance.
On the 17th, the meeting took place in the provincial government’s small conference room with Executive Vice Governor Hong Jong-wan, members of the Regional Council for North Korean Defector Support and about 20 provincial and municipal officials in attendance.
Officials reviewed this year’s support program plans from provincial and municipal governments and partner organizations, then discussed cooperation measures to promote stable settlement and social integration for defectors, including ways to strengthen services delivered through the newly opened Chungcheong Unity+ Center.
Council members shared field-verified successes and limitations and offered a variety of suggestions aimed at shaping practical, effective policy.
The province is shifting policy so defectors are regarded as “neighbors living together” rather than merely “subjects of adjustment,” and it is pursuing community-based settlement support.
In delivering support, the province is building a cooperative system that connects government, the private sector and local communities to ensure assistance is sustainable and effective.
Officials said they will actively reflect the meeting’s proposals and continue diverse policies and programs so defectors can settle into the community and achieve self-reliance.
Executive Vice Governor Hong said, “Today’s meeting goes beyond program review; it’s a forum to consider how defectors continue their lives in the community. We will do our best to fill gaps in employment, health and social relationships so their lives stabilize beyond basic aid.”
Intensive safety inspections of 49 maritime facilities begin on the 20th for three months
Chungnam Province announced on the 17th that it will conduct safety inspections of coastal maritime facilities managed by local governments from April 20 through July 19. The three-month campaign aims to ensure effective management and prevent accidents.
Maritime facilities include structures installed continuously in coastal waters or between water and land, such as oil and hazardous-liquid storage facilities, shipbuilding and repair yards, intake and discharge systems with pipe diameters of 600 mm or more (about 24 in), and fry-release facilities.
The inspections will cover 49 registered maritime facilities across the province: six directly managed by the province; 13 in Boryeong; one in Seosan; 18 in Dangjin; two in Seocheon; two in Hongseong; and seven in Taean.
Inspectors will verify whether registered details match the actual condition of facilities, whether owners conduct safety checks, the status of pollutant collection and disposal, and any other factors that could raise marine pollution risks.
Lee Dong-yu, Director of the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Bureau, said, “Marine pollution incidents require enormous budgets and time to recover, so prevention is critical. Through thorough on-site inspections, we will create a safe marine environment residents can trust.”
High ozone concentrations persist across Chungnam…response system strengthened
The Chungnam Provincial Health and Environment Research Institute said on the 17th that it will strengthen its response system after repeated ozone advisories—mainly around Seosan—to better protect residents’ health.
The institute reported that after Seosan issued the region’s first ozone advisory for the year on the 12th, advisories followed on the 14th and 15th, indicating sustained high ozone concentrations.
Coastal areas easily accumulate ozone because stagnant sea-land breezes limit air circulation. Areas north of the Charyeong Mountain Range are also prone to high concentrations because the spread and movement of ozone precursors are restricted.
With the Korea Meteorological Administration predicting a 60% chance that summer temperatures will exceed the 23.4–24.0°C average, the province expects ozone levels to rise not only along the coast but across the entire region.
Chungnam is already showing a clear trend toward earlier, stronger and longer-lasting ozone episodes, driven in part by climate change.
For instance, advisories used to be rare or to start around May–June prior to 2016; in recent years, advisories have occurred earlier—on April 20, 2021; March 22, 2023; April 7, 2024; and April 11, 2025.
Days with advisories rose from 20 in 2016 to 24 in 2021, 25 in 2023 and 31 in 2024, while advisory counts climbed from 32 in 2016 to 57 in 2018, 67 in 2021 and 76 in 2024.
The institute plans to reinforce its response by operating a situation room, enhancing real-time ozone monitoring and delivering rapid public alerts when advisories are issued to minimize harm.
Jung Geum-hee, Director of the Health and Environment Research Institute, said, “Ozone is invisible but directly harms health as a major air pollutant. When advisories are issued, people should limit outdoor activities and pay special attention to hydration and rest to protect their health.”
‘Hometown Mashil Festival’ draws about 60 rural experience villages from the region
The 11th Hometown Mashil Festival, showcasing rural attractions from the Chungcheong region, opened at Lake Park in Sejong City on the 17th.
Since its debut in 2014, the festival has brought rural residents into the city to showcase rural life. It has become a signature urban-rural exchange platform that fosters shared value and mutual understanding.
Hosted by the province and co-organized by the Chungnam Rural Experience Village Association, the three-day event runs through the 19th.
About 60 rural experience villages from Daejeon, Sejong and Chungnam are participating, offering traditional games, craft workshops and local specialty foods that highlight each village’s character.
A hometown market lets visitors buy fresh farm products harvested directly by residents, and organizers expect strong interest from city dwellers.
On opening day, Buyeo’s village percussion troupe performed a ritual procession, and a “Harvest Experience Zone” allowed children to dig up onions, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Children who touched the soil and experienced the joy of harvest smiled broadly, showing how much they enjoyed this urban farming activity.
The main opening ceremony will take place on the 18th. Throughout the festival, organizers will present traditional music performances, an environmental children’s play, balloon performances and other events suitable for all ages.
The Harvest Experience Zone that drew strong interest from children will operate throughout the event.
Lee Seung-han, Director of Agriculture and Livestock, said, “We hope this festival acts as a valuable catalyst that spreads the vitality of Chungnam’s rural communities into urban areas. We will ensure safe, well-managed events through the final day so rural and urban communities can celebrate together.”
Chungnam Fire Department wins drone contest—Fire Sergeant Noh Jae-han and Fire Corporal Jo Young-hoon take first place
Fire Sergeant Noh Jae-han and Fire Corporal Jo Young-hoon of Taean Fire Station were named the province’s top fire-drone pilots.
The Chungnam Fire Department held the 2026 Fire Drone Competition at the Chungcheong Fire Academy in Cheongyang on the 17th.
The competition aimed to strengthen drone-based rescue and search capabilities at disaster sites and to select Chungnam’s representatives for national contests.
Organizers also included a civilian category for volunteer firefighters, broadening the contest’s reach.
Chungnam’s fire service has demonstrated excellent drone operation skills, ranking first nationally at last year’s 5th National Fire Commissioner’s Cup Drone Competition.
The contest consisted of two events—searching for missing persons in mountainous terrain and detecting chemical hazard information. Teams used first-person-view (FPV) drones to navigate obstacles and locate targets within time limits, simulating real-world missions.
Noh and Jo’s team won by quickly and accurately identifying a simulated victim tag and hazardous chemical information.
Their combined time for the two events—mountain search and chemical detection—was 9 minutes 39 seconds.
They will represent Chungnam at the 6th National Fire Commissioner’s Cup Drone Competition at the Central Fire Academy in Gongju on May 12–13.
Lee Young-ju, Head of the 119 Response Division, said, “Fire drones have become indispensable equipment at disaster scenes. We will continue to expand training that uses new technologies like drones to protect residents’ lives and property.”
