Perspective drawing of the Mining Culture Park (Image provided by Kangwon Land).
JEONGSEON, Oct. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Kangwon Land is pressing ahead with plans to transform a former coal mining site into a cultural landmark, aiming to breathe new life into a once-declining community.
The project, known as M650, will open in June 2026 as a multipurpose cultural complex built on the site of the former Sabuk Mining Office of Dongwon Coal Company in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. Its name blends “mine” and “museum” while referencing the area’s 650-meter altitude — a symbolic nod to the region’s industrial past.
Since acquiring the mining site in 2005, Kangwon Land has worked to preserve and restore artifacts, gradually reshaping the facility into what it calls a “living museum.” The completed M650 will go beyond chronicling the nation’s industrial history to host educational programs, exhibitions, performances, and arts initiatives designed to engage both residents and visitors.
Panoramic view of the Mining Culture Park. (Image courtesy of Kangwon Land)
Company officials describe the initiative as a cultural regeneration effort that seeks to transform the scars of mine closures into future assets. By celebrating the area’s industrial heritage, Kangwon Land hopes M650 will become both a cultural hub and an economic catalyst for a region long shaped by the rise and fall of coal.
“We expect M650 to inject new energy into local tourism and serve as a springboard for revitalizing the coalfield economy,” said Choi Cheol-kyu, acting CEO of Kangwon Land. “Our goal is to open on schedule in 2026 and establish M650 as a cultural base that grows with the community.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
