Gangwon-do Province is pushing for its spirit promotion project, aiming to shed its image negatively projected - internally and externally - in this boundless competitiveness era of the 21st century. It further aims to encourage the good traits such as the simplicity, diligence and tenacity of its people, recover its original identity and elevate its forward-looking spirit, thus firmly establishing the future desirable image of Gangwon people.

For the provincial image about-face project, we have first selected 18 famous people with distinctive thought and achievement in each field throughout the history of our nation. They include those who espoused and practiced forward-looking philosophy, positive attitude, and creative thinking, handing down great achievements to us. We want to model them in establishing the identity and independence of Gangwon people.

The project is progressing during the period of 1997 to 2004 with a total investment of 35.7 billion won. Specifically, we will create historical sites as we recover the selected models´ birth places, central to this image enhancement project, establish memorial halls and shrines, and create memorial parks. Furthermore, we are pushing to phase in the project of promoting their thought on yearly basis by opening academic seminars, creative writing contests, and literary events, and publishing historical data, all geared towards inheriting their spirit.

The first phase project, which runs from 1997 to 2000, concerns the eleven people in patriotism, reform and culture fields. Theyinclude Yu In-seok with (pen name Uiam), Yun Hui-sun, Kim Yu-jeong, Won Cheon-seok (pen name Ungok), Heo Gyun (pen name Gyosan), Heo Cho-hui (pen name Nanseolheon), Lee Seung-hyu (pen name Dongangeosa), Namgung-eok (pen name Hanseo), Lee Hyo-seok (pen name Gasan), Han Yong-un (Buddhist name Manhae), and Park Su-geun. The second phase of the spirit promotion project, running 2001-2002, concerns patriotism and culture fields, which will promote the two persons, Kim Si-seup (pen name Maewoldang) and Kim Byeong-yeon (pen name Nango). The third phase project, spanning 2003 to 2004, promotes five wise and good-hearted wives, and exemplary civil servants, such as Sinsaimdang, Kim Dong-myeong (pen name Choheo), Nam Gu-man (pen name Yakcheon), Heo Mok (pen name Misu), and Park In-hwan.