The South Korean government has selected the Jeju Advanced Science and Technology Complex, along with the Wanju and Wonju Munmak general industrial complexes, as candidates for a project aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of aging industrial hubs. The initiative seeks to transform these outdated industrial areas into centers for advanced industries through the adoption of manufacturing artificial intelligence (AI) transformation (AX), green transformation (GX), and improved living conditions for young workers.
On September 22, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a meeting of the Competitiveness Enhancement Promotion Committee for Aging Industrial Complexes, announcing the selection of these regions as candidates for the 2027 competitiveness enhancement project.
The government is designating industrial complexes that have been in operation for over 20 years as competitiveness enhancement zones, coordinating support from eight government ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Land, as well as local governments. This approach aims to improve not only the AI transformation and GX of manufacturing but also the aging infrastructure and living conditions for workers.
In Jeju, plans are underway to develop a RE100 innovation industrial complex based on the region's unique resources, centered around the national advanced science and technology complex, while enhancing the clean biohealth industry ecosystem. A total of 33 detailed projects will receive an investment of 323.25 billion won to establish a smart green industrial complex based on distributed energy and clean resources, promote smart manufacturing innovation, and create youth-friendly industrial zones.
The Wanju general industrial complex will focus on the automotive and machinery parts industries, aiming to develop a core hub for K-robot advanced mobility through the 'M.AX transformation.' Plans include 26 projects with an investment of 274.13 billion won, which will feature AI factory robot demonstrations, mobility manufacturing automation, and a smart logistics platform.
In Wonju, the Munmak general industrial complex will strengthen the foundation for future mobility and the medical device and digital healthcare industries through AX and GX transformations of aging manufacturing hubs. A total of 39 projects will receive an investment of 312.4 billion won, including the establishment of smart factories, an AX demonstration industrial complex, a training center for medical AI semiconductor professionals, and an international certification support center for medical devices.
After consulting with experts to refine the project plans, the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Land, will finalize and announce the competitiveness enhancement zones in the first quarter of next year. Subsequently, local governments will work on securing budgets for key projects.
Kim Gyu-sung, Director of Regional Economic Policy at the Ministry of Trade, stated, "For the government's balanced growth strategy to be successfully implemented, aging industrial complexes must re-emerge as centers for advanced industries that can realize the five-polar, three-special growth engines. We will do our utmost to enhance the competitiveness of these industrial complexes in collaboration with the Ministry of Land and other relevant agencies."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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