Jinju, Korea moves to turn old downtown alleys into tourism destinations

Jinju City old downtown alleys (Image by Jinju City/courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)

Gyeongnam province has announced the launch of a new urban tourism project aimed at revitalizing Jinju’s aging city center by transforming small neighborhood alleys into visitor-friendly destinations.

The project, officially titled the “Jinju Old Downtown Tourism Alley Development,” is part of the first phase of the Southern Region Wide-Area Tourism Development Initiative.

It is designed to address long-standing challenges such as population decline and weakened local commerce in older districts.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gyeongnam province, and Jinju will jointly invest 21.3 billion won in the project, with 6 billion won allocated for 2026.

The plan focuses on Mangyeong-dong and Gangnam-dong, where craft-focused alleyways will be created.

These areas will include rest spaces, upgraded streetscapes, and expanded visitor amenities.

A former Jinju Seungmu performers’ dormitory will be renovated into a creative space for craft and cultural production, supporting both local artists and small businesses.

A new traditional culture experience center will also be built, serving as a base for hands-on programs related to traditional crafts, food, and daily life.

The facility is expected to play a role in local walking tours and will be linked with nearby landmarks such as Chokseongnu Pavilion, the Namgang River, and Jinju Fortress.

The province added that similar projects across the southern region are being rolled out as part of a long-term plan to establish the area as a national tourism hub, with more than 1.1 trillion won earmarked for regional tourism development over the next decade.

Fleet Chinhae