The Saemangeum Development Agency is committed to securing future growth by focusing on advanced strategic industries such as robotics, AI, and hydrogen.
On September 14, the agency outlined its vision and key policy directions aimed at enhancing competitiveness in Saemangeum, facilitating national land transformation, and promoting regional co-growth.
The agency has shifted from a private investment-centered development approach to a public-led development model. It is also revising its master plan to enhance the execution and speed of the Saemangeum project by adjusting land use systems. Strategic reserve areas will be established to allow for mixed development based on corporate demand, with four industrial hubs positioned near surrounding cities to create a development system that fosters growth for both Saemangeum and its neighboring areas.
Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to invest approximately 9 trillion won to establish an ecosystem for advanced industries, including robotics, AI, and hydrogen. An AI data center and a robotics manufacturing plant will be built in the first industrial complex. Construction of the AI data center is set to begin in March 2027, followed by phased development of solar power and hydrogen production facilities by the end of that year.
The government budget for 2027 is projected to increase by 7.4 billion won to 222.2 billion won compared to this year. Key projects include the establishment of long-term lease sites, a robotics cluster, and the implementation of demand-responsive transportation services (DRT).
175 billion won will be allocated for the creation of long-term lease sites to support domestic and international anchor companies in establishing AI data centers and physical AI systems. An additional 5 billion won will be invested in a shared logistics warehouse linked to Hyundai Motor Group's robotics manufacturing plant. Furthermore, 4 billion won will be allocated for the development of DRT to improve accessibility to Saemangeum.
Core infrastructure will also be expanded, including the completion of the Saemangeum 3x3 arterial road network, interconnecting roads, and the opening of a highway linking Saemangeum and Jeonju. Construction of the interconnecting road, which began in December last year, is expected to be completed by 2030. The new Saemangeum port is set to open its general cargo terminal with two berths by the end of this year.
The renewable energy production capacity will be increased from 7 GW to 10 GW to supply power to tenant companies. Plans are also underway to establish a basic plan for designating a RE100 industrial complex.
In the first zone, earthworks, bridge construction, and landscaping are currently underway, with a progress rate of 56%. Main construction for zones 2 and 4 is expected to commence in the second half of this year. Last December, two plots for neighborhood living and 67 plots for single-family homes were supplied, with an additional 45 plots for single-family homes to be supplied later.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and physical AI technology will be integrated throughout the city. A three-axis circular system linking physical hubs, operational systems, and physical AI services will be established, with plans to detail phased implementation through a basic plan commissioned by the Ministry of Land.
Moon Sung-yo, director of the Saemangeum Development Agency, stated, "Saemangeum is transforming into a future industrial city where companies invest and people gather to grow, centered on advanced strategic industries such as robotics, AI, and hydrogen. We will do our utmost to ensure that corporate investments and development projects lead to tangible results, making Saemangeum a hub for national balanced development and regional co-growth." He added that regarding the reestablishment of the Saemangeum master plan, efforts will be made to communicate sufficiently with the local community and relevant organizations to ensure that local voices are adequately reflected in the plan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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