Korea to create new high-tech industrial complexes in 14 regions

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Won Hee-ryong reporting to the President Yoon Suk Yeol on new high-tech industrial complexes on Wed. [Photo by Lee Seung-hwan]

The Korean government plans to build national industrial complexes to foster high-tech industries such as semiconductors, future mobilities and robots in 14 regions across the country in addition to the world’s largest semiconductor cluster planned in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The size of the national industrial complexes totals 40.76 million square meters. The government plans to foster high-tech industries customized to each region to promote balanced regional development.

The government has decided the plan to secure a balanced base for high-tech industries, said the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Won Hee-ryong, adding that because timing is crucial for business investment, the government will lift regulations such as green belts and agricultural land restrictions in the biggest way possible to expedite the construction of the new national industrial complexes.

Construction is expected to begin in stages from the end of 2026 at the earliest.

Daejeon, Cheonan, Cheongju and Hongseong were selected as candidate sites in the Chungcheong region. In Daejeon, the envisaged national industrial complex will cover 5.3 million square meters in Yuseong District with a focus on nano technology, semiconductor and aerospace industries. Plans include the establishment of a research center for nano and semiconductor and related materials, parts, and component industries. A plan to create the ‘Second Daedeok Research Complex’ is also under consideration.

In Cheonan and Hongseong, national industrial complexes will be built on 4.17 million square meters and 2.36 million square meters, respectively. In Cheonan, future mobility and semiconductors were designated as priority industries. The city will build a value chain for future mobility industries and build a cluster ecosystem by attracting ventures and startups nearby. Hongsung will focus on fostering component companies related to hydrogen, future mobilities and batteries.

Gwangju, Goheung, Iksan, and Wanju were picked as candidates in the southwestern area of Honam region. A national industrial complex focused on localizing core parts for future vehicles and developing advanced technologies will be created on 3.38 million square meters around Gwangju-gu based on an automobile production plant nearby.

In Goheung, a space industry cluster linked to Naro Space Center will be built, while in Iksan a food-tech base that combines ICT and food processing will be established. In Wanju, a national industrial complex related to hydrogen storage and utilization will be created.

Candidates for the Gyeongsang region are Daegu, Andong, Gyeongju, and Uljin.

In Daegu, a national industrial complex with the main purpose of integrating the future car and robot industries is expected to be built in the Dalseong-gun area on a site of 3.29 million square meters.

In Andong, the government will focus on developing a support system in connection with biotech and vaccine research institutes, and in Gyeongju and Uljin, industrial complexes related to small module reactors (SMRs) and hydrogen for nuclear power plants will be created, respectively.

For Changwon, the government aims to create a research and production base for innovation in the defense and nuclear industries, while transforming Gangneung in Gangwon Province into a leading green bio city to foster the biotech and food industry for natural products.