Lee Heon-wook, the head of the Korea Real Estate Agency, emphasized that establishing a talent and knowledge ecosystem is more crucial than merely expanding job opportunities for sustainable regional growth.
The Korea Real Estate Agency announced on October 19 that Lee presented the direction for future urban and national spatial development during a guest lecture at Daegu University's Seongsan Hall on October 17, themed 'Real Estate for All, Great Cities.'
"For sustainable regional growth, building a knowledge network and talent ecosystem should come before increasing the number of jobs," Lee said, adding, "Jobs are merely a report card reflecting regional competitiveness."
He further explained, "The competitiveness of the territory arises from the quality of the cities themselves and the connections between them," stressing the need for close ties among local universities, research institutions, and businesses, as well as creating living environments that attract talent in education, transportation, healthcare, and culture.
Lee also raised the necessity for a shift in national spatial strategy, advocating for the establishment of a 'multi-nodal super-regional economic zone' that connects competitive hub cities based on living and economic areas, transcending administrative boundaries.
"Hub cities should not just be places where jobs and industries are concentrated; they must become global knowledge hubs that generate new knowledge and innovation," Lee stated, emphasizing that these hubs need to be interconnected regionally to provide real options for talent and businesses outside the capital area.
He concluded, "The core of balanced national development lies not in the distribution of jobs by region but in creating an environment where talent and businesses can choose regions for themselves," adding that the Korea Real Estate Agency will strengthen its role in supporting regional competitiveness and balanced development.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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