From the small experience center, the city produces 40 tons of salt annually through civic experience activities. (image: Siheung)
SUWON, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — The city of Siheung in Gyeonggi Province is known for its production of salt with water pumped from 100 meters below sea level.
The city originally planned to sell this salt, but was prohibited by the government.
According to a statement on Monday, the city has been operating a 15,840 square-metre ecology park since 1934, and created an experience center for small salt ponds in 2010.
The ecology park was once a salt pond. From the small experience center, the city produces 40 tons of salt annually through civic experience activities.
The water that makes the salt is not from the nearby sea, but from 100 meters below the ground.
Although the water is from underground, it still contains salt as it is located near the sea. Local residents are demanding that the salt be sold as it is less bitter, less salty and sweeter than other local salt.
While the city planned to fulfill such demands, it was turned down by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The ministry announced that although facilities within the park are available for visitors to experience, manufacturing and producing salt for profit is not allowed.
As such, the city decided to distribute the salt as souvenirs to guests. However, the city is not giving up on commercializing the salt.
City officials explained that the city is not trying to make money from the salt, but hoped to develop salt into a special product and create more jobs for residents.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
