Candidate Kim Byung-won "Promotes Hosting the World Energy Expo"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Kim Byung-won, a preliminary candidate for the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Jeonnam Naju·Hwasun, announced on the 25th, “We will promote the hosting of the World Energy Expo to foster Naju·Hwasun as a global energy tourism city and lead regional development.”

The World Energy Expo will comprehensively cover exhibitions, corporate attraction, seminars, and more related to so-called green energy, including alternative energies such as solar, geothermal, wind, hydro, and tidal power, as well as hydrogen energy and biomass, rather than fossil fuels like petroleum and coal that cause environmental pollution.

In particular, it is expected to accelerate economic development by generating direct and indirect economic effects related to the expo, expanding SOC and tourist attractions, and creating ripple effects in the agricultural sector.

The Expo, known as one of the world’s three major festivals alongside the Olympics and the World Cup, is called the comprehensive Olympics of the economic and cultural fields. Following Daejeon in 1993, Yeosu, which hosted the Expo in 2012, rose as an international city due to the Expo effect and expanded its regional economic structure.

Candidate Kim said, “If Naju and Hwasun are organically connected and related industrial ecosystems such as KEPCO, Energy Valley, and Energy Cluster are utilized, hosting the World Energy Expo is not impossible,” adding, “The work of establishing various social infrastructures such as urban regeneration projects along with hosting the Expo is a turning point that guarantees innovative regional development.”

KEPCO, which is located in Bitgaram Innovation City, the soon-to-be-opened KEPCO University, and strategic and economic footholds such as Energy Valley and Energy Cluster have been secured. In this regard, a step-by-step roadmap will be established, starting with a feasibility basic research service, gathering expert opinions, proposing hosting support to the government, and enacting special laws. The hosting procedures and International Exhibitions Bureau approval procedures will be thoroughly reviewed together with Naju City, Hwasun County, and Jeonnam Province.

There is also a plan to activate partnerships with related organizations including KEPCO, Jeonnam Technopark, Korea Electrical Contractors Association, Korea New and Renewable Energy Association, as well as educational institutions such as KEPCO University, Chonnam National University, Chosun University, and Dongshin University.

Hwasun has the DNA of a long-standing energy city, with coal mines dating back to 1905 during the Japanese colonial period. In the process of restructuring domestic industries, if the closed mine spaces are transformed into new energy tourism products, physical and chemical connections with Naju, where the World Energy Expo will be held, will be possible.

Candidate Kim said, “An art space called ‘Samtan Art Mine’ was created in the closed mine area of Samcheok Coal Mine in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, and innovative designs using natural cold air for mushroom cultivation and as a salted seafood storage in Ham-baek have shown results,” adding, “If Hwasun also launches creative projects such as establishing a coal mine history museum and experience spaces, it can definitely breathe new life into the area.”

He continued, “In addition, by integrating information and communication technology into the power grid to maintain a smart grid system that can monitor electricity usage, supply, and the condition of power lines at a glance, and by expanding the carbon emissions trading system, Naju·Hwasun will emerge as a global energy tourism city where tradition and the future coexist and thrive.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.