Gunsan City and NST Hold the 'Saemangeum Science and Technology Innovation Forum'

Exploring Success Strategies for the Korean New Deal and More

Photo by Gunsan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jae-hee] Gunsan City, Jeonbuk, emphasized the necessity of establishing the Saemangeum National Comprehensive Demonstration Research Complex by hosting the ‘2020 Saemangeum Science and Technology Innovation Forum.’

On the 20th, the city announced that it would hold the ‘2020 Saemangeum Science and Technology Innovation Forum’ at the Gunsan Saemangeum Convention Center in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Council (NST), aiming to realize the success of the Korean New Deal based on science and technology in the post-COVID-19 era. The forum will be held over two days.

This forum will be attended by many figures from industry, academia, and government, including Won Kwang-yeon, Chairman of the National Science and Technology Council, heads of 25 affiliated research institutes, Mayor Kang Im-jun, National Assembly member Shin Young-dae, and Gunsan University President Kwak Byung-seon. They will conduct in-depth presentations and discussions on the direction of national development through science and technology and the role of Saemangeum in realizing the Korean New Deal.

Mayor Kang Im-jun stated, “It is necessary to utilize Gunsan Saemangeum, a land of opportunity, as a hub for national science and technology development,” adding, “By establishing a large-scale national comprehensive demonstration research complex in Saemangeum, we must timely secure innovative technologies that will lead the global market in the post-COVID-19 era and make the Korean New Deal a nationwide success story.”

Additionally, National Assembly member Shin Young-dae emphasized, “The national competitiveness in the post-COVID-19 era must be based on the advancement of science and technology,” and stressed, “It is urgent to establish a large-scale joint demonstration research complex to ensure that the key R&D projects being developed by the National Science and Technology Council and 25 affiliated research institutes leading Korea’s science and technology can be commercialized in a timely manner.”

The innovation forum began with a presentation by Professor Yoon Soon-jin of Seoul National University on the topic ‘Green New Deal and Overcoming the COVID-19 Economic Crisis.’ This was followed by presentations from Han Sun-hwa, Head of Policy at NST, on ‘Plans for Establishing the Saemangeum National Comprehensive Demonstration Research Complex,’ and Lee Sung-soo, Director of the Automotive Convergence Technology Institute, on ‘Saemangeum Green New Deal and Future Mobility Promotion.’

Furthermore, Kim Young-chul, Director of Industry-Academia Cooperation at Gunsan University, presented on the ‘Plan for Fostering Small and Strong R&D Special Zones,’ and Han Byung-hwa, Director of the Energy Transition Forum, delivered a presentation on the ‘Green Mobility and Green New Deal Regional Special Zone Project’ centered on Saemangeum. This was followed by a comprehensive discussion on ways to utilize Saemangeum for the success of the Korean New Deal.

Won Kwang-yeon, Chairman of the National Science and Technology Council, stated, “I agree that promoting a region-led New Deal policy based on science and technology is important for the success of the Korean New Deal,” and added, “Based on the discussions held this time, we will specifically review ways for government-funded research institutes to utilize Saemangeum.”

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