Honam Region Chamber of Commerce Supports 'Hosting Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] On the 22nd, the chairpersons of nine chambers of commerce and industry in the Honam region gathered at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry's council meeting room to announce a “Statement of Support for Hosting the 4th Generation Circular Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator in the Honam Region.”

Centered around Jeong Chang-seon, chairman of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the statement of support was joined by Lee Seon-hong, chairman of the Jeonju Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jeonbuk; Yang Hee-jun, chairman of the Iksan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kim Dong-su, chairman of the Gunsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kim Jeok-woo, chairman of the Jeonbuk Southwest Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lee Han-cheol, chairman of the Mokpo Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Park Yong-ha, chairman of the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kim Jong-wook, chairman of the Suncheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Lee Baek-gu, chairman of the Gwangyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jeonnam.

The Honam region chairpersons unanimously voiced that “to leap forward as a leading center for South Korea’s future, the ‘4th Generation Circular Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator’ must be established in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Joint Innovation City.”

Jeong Chang-seon, who read the statement of support, emphasized, “South Korea currently has the Pohang Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator, Gyeongju Proton Accelerator, Gijang Heavy Ion Accelerator, and Daejeon Medium Ion Accelerator, but there is not a single large accelerator in the Honam region,” adding, “To realize the Moon Jae-in administration’s vision of a ‘regionally strong country and balanced South Korea,’ national balanced development must be actively considered in the field of science and technology as well.”

He continued, “The next-generation synchrotron radiation accelerator is expected to provide a groundbreaking turning point for fostering new growth engine industries in the Honam region, such as AI and future automobiles in Gwangju, agricultural life sciences and carbon industries in Jeonbuk, and energy and bio sectors in Jeonnam,” and stated, “Gathering the will of over 5,600 companies in Honam, we strongly support the hosting of the ‘4th Generation Circular Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator’ in the Honam region, which is essential for achieving true national territorial balanced development.”

Kim Young-rok, governor of Jeonnam, who was present at the meeting, said, “We will make the hosting of the 4th Generation Circular Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Joint Innovation City a stepping stone for Honam region universities, including Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) University, and local companies centered around KEPCO to expand globally,” and added, “I thank the chairpersons of the Honam region chambers of commerce and industry and businesspeople who have united in one purpose, and we will devote all efforts to securing the accelerator.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT is inviting bids for the site of the 4th generation synchrotron radiation accelerator, with Naju in Jeonnam, Incheon Songdo, Chuncheon in Gangwon, Ochang in Chungbuk, and Pohang in Gyeongbuk all hoping to host it.

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