Jeon Nam-do Councilor Lee Min-jun Urges Improvement of Site Selection Criteria for Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator

Avoiding Duplication with Similar Research Facilities, Emphasizing Consideration of National Balanced Development

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Lee Minjun, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, along with other assembly members, issued a statement on the 28th at the assembly briefing room urging improvements to the site selection criteria for the synchrotron accelerator.

On this day, Assemblyman Lee stated, "The core of national competitiveness in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution lies in solid basic science and securing a global market in new industrial fields utilizing it," adding, "While strengthening research capabilities in the Honam region and promoting large-scale science and technology projects, the unstable research environment is hindering progress and increasing confusion at research sites."

He continued, "As a justification for hosting in the Honam region, the candidate site is located in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Joint Innovation City, which offers stable ground, a wide area, AI infrastructure, abundant human resources, and a concentration of public institutions and energy-related companies including Korea Electric Power Corporation University (KEPCO University), making it the optimal location for establishing the synchrotron accelerator."

He emphasized, "Once the synchrotron accelerator is established, the research and development environment in the Honam region, which currently ranks lowest in R&D project share, will be dramatically improved," and added, "By linking with Honam universities such as Jeonbuk National University, Chonnam National University, and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology centered around KEPCO University, which opened in 2022, advanced research capabilities will increase, enabling the region to secure future core technologies."

Finally, he stated, "As improvements in site selection, duplication with similar research facilities in neighboring areas should be avoided, and the optimal site should be selected to realize practical national balanced development based on science and technology," and presented the justification for hosting in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Innovation City as national balanced development, stable site conditions, and the dispersed placement of nationally important facilities.

Meanwhile, four local governments including Naju in Jeonnam, Chuncheon in Gangwon, Cheongju in Chungbuk, and Pohang in Gyeongbuk have submitted letters of intent to host the next-generation synchrotron accelerator construction project, led by the Ministry of Science and ICT, competing to attract the project.

Jeollanam-do will submit its hosting plan by the 29th, and the Ministry of Science and ICT is scheduled to announce the preferred negotiation region on the 7th of next month.

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