Im Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed his ambition on August 17 to incorporate European marine healing solutions into Daebudo.
Mayor Im is accelerating plans for an 'Ansan marine healing model' by visiting advanced marine healing facilities in Germany and France to apply their practices to Daebudo.
During a week-long trip, he explored marine healing institutions in Usedom, Germany, and Saint-Malo, France, examining their operational systems and programs while establishing a foundation for international cooperation in the marine healing sector.
The mayor noted that the competitiveness of marine healing facilities lies not just in their construction but in the integration of healing programs utilizing marine resources, specialized personnel, health management, rehabilitation, and tourism services.
In Usedom, he visited marine healing centers, healing forests, and rehabilitation hospitals, observing how they incorporate natural environments and marine resources into health management and rehabilitation practices.
He also focused on the systematic approach of tailoring programs based on user demographics and linking medical and rehabilitation services with specialized personnel.
Additionally, the mayor signed a memorandum of understanding with the German Medical Wellness Association to promote cooperation in operating marine healing centers, developing programs, training specialized personnel, sharing information, and identifying joint projects.
In Saint-Malo, he confirmed the use of seawater, seaweed, and marine climate in marine healing therapies and health management operations.
He reviewed programs utilizing seawater pressure and flow, assessed user pathways, and discussed program composition and personnel management with center officials.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed with the Saint-Malo marine healing center to establish a foundation for future collaboration in program development and personnel exchanges.
Residents of Daebudo emphasize the need to create policies that utilize local marine and tidal flat resources, rather than simply importing foreign advanced cases, to ensure community benefits and stimulate the local economy.
They are particularly optimistic that the establishment of a marine healing center will not only enhance health management and relaxation functions but also boost tourism, accommodation, and experiential programs, leading to increased visitor numbers and revitalization of local businesses.
The mayor's strategy is to develop a differentiated marine healing model for Ansan by combining Daebudo's tidal flats and marine resources with tourism assets, rather than directly replicating overseas examples.
Plans for the future marine healing center will include the development of targeted marine healing programs, securing and training specialized personnel, linking health management and rehabilitation, and creating stay-type programs that integrate tourism and accommodation.
Mayor Im stated, "I have confirmed that creating good facilities is just as important as developing programs and specialized personnel that make users want to return."
He added, "Having established a continuous exchange foundation with world-class marine healing institutions, I will actively utilize advanced operational experiences and international cooperation networks to develop Daebudo into a leading marine healing and tourism hub in the metropolitan area."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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