Goseong County, Gangwon Innovation Center Create 'Haeumteo' Fishing Village Youth Startup Center

Goseong County, Gangwon Province, is embarking on the creation of 'Haeumteo (海움터)', a Youth Startup Support Center, an innovative space designed to inject new vitality into stagnant fishing village areas and turn the dreams of young people into reality. This ambitious project will be realized through a firm partnership with the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation. On the 22nd, Goseong County and the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation signed a business agreement for the successful establishment and operation of 'Haeumteo', taking their first step towards the future. Through this agreement, the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation will be responsible for the overall operation of 'Haeumteo' from February 2026 to December 2028, serving as a steadfast supporter for youth startups in Goseong County's fishing villages. 'Haeumteo' is a core pillar of the Gonghyeonjin Port Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project, selected in 2023, and is on track for completion in 2027. The center plans to focus on discovering fresh ideas from young people based on the unique characteristics and abundant resources of fishing villages, and fostering these ideas into practical startup models. Even before the physical completion of the center, proactive support for establishing a youth startup ecosystem will already begin. Various pilot projects, including employment and startup support services, as well as local brand startups utilizing Goseong's regional specialties, will be proactively operated to provide prospective young entrepreneurs with practical experience and opportunities. Once the center is completed, the expertise of the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation will truly shine. Systematic and professional support will be provided to help young entrepreneurs successfully establish themselves, including practical startup training for fishing village-specialized local brands, individually customized growth consulting, and investment linkage programs—a prerequisite for startup success. A Goseong County official stated, "'Haeumteo' establishment project will serve as an important pillar of the Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project, injecting new life into fishing villages with high potential and opening attractive startup opportunities for young people." They further expressed their ambition, "Through close cooperation with the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, we will maximize the value of fishing villages and spare no effort in providing all support to help young people successfully take root in Goseong." 'Haeumteo' is expected to play a key role in fostering the creative ideas of young people based on the clean natural environment and resources of fishing villages, and furthermore, in establishing a sustainable fishing village startup ecosystem that grows together with the local community. The dreams of young people, sprouting from the sea, will illuminate the future of Goseong's fishing villages.