Governor Kim Yeongrok Outlines Jeonnam's Future at Industry-Academia Cooperation Forum

Special Lecture on "A Greater Jeollanam-do"
Jeolla Line Plan Reflected by 90%
Rise to Mid-Tier in Regional GDP
Importance of Challenges such as Fostering the AI Industry

Jeollanam-do Governor Youngrok Kim is taking a commemorative photo with attendees after delivering a lecture titled "A Strong Leap Toward a Greater Jeollanam-do" at the 263rd Industry-Academia Cooperation Forum of the Korea Industry-Academia Cooperation Research Institute held at Gwangju Mudeung Park Hotel on the 19th. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, attended the 263rd Industry-Academia Cooperation Forum held at Mudeung Park Hotel in Gwangju on the morning of the 19th and delivered a lecture on the theme of "A Powerful Leap Forward for a Greater Jeollanam-do."

In his special lecture, Governor Kim stated, "While Korea has achieved rapid and compressed growth, the nation's dignity plummeted overnight due to the December 12 and May 3 military coups, clearly revealing political backwardness. We must revive the declining Kim Daejung politics and, with Honam?which once led democratization?as the main axis, build a new Korea."

Regarding provincial administration, he presented both past achievements?such as the selection of the Jeolla Line as a preliminary feasibility study project, improvements in budget and income levels, and attracting tourists?and future blueprints for industrial development, including the establishment of the Jeonnam AI Supercluster and the revitalization of youth venture startups.

Governor Kim explained, "In the case of the national railway network project, the exclusion of Honam is evident. Recently, the Jeolla Line was confirmed as a preliminary feasibility study project, resulting in approximately 90% of the plan being reflected, and the groundwork has been laid to soon resolve the Boseong-Suncheon and Boseong-Gwangju sections as well."

He continued, "In the past, Jeollanam-do ranked low among the 17 cities and provinces, but we have raised our level to the mid-tier, ranking 8th in regional gross domestic product (GRDP) and 9th in personal income. In terms of budget alone, we have achieved results by increasing from 7.5 trillion won to the 12 trillion won range, and we are on the verge of attracting 100 million tourists."

Regarding the AI Supercluster initiative, he emphasized, "Although there are some negative perspectives, we will push forward with a spirit of challenge and innovation that does not fear failure. Within three years, we will take decisive action to attract major foreign companies to Jeonnam, thereby elevating the status of both Jeonnam and Korea."

In particular, he announced, "To support the independence of youth venture startups, we aim to foster 3,000 venture and startup companies through the 'Venture/Startup 3·3·3 Project,' and by supporting youth technology commercialization, we will provide 1 million won per month for two years to 150 individuals each month."

He also expressed his intention to expand renewable energy generation to 21GW by 2030 and realize an era of 1 trillion won in basic energy income.

During the Q&A session after the lecture, regarding Gwangju-Jeonnam mutual development, he said, "A realistic alternative must be clearly presented for the relocation site of the Gwangju civilian and military airports. Rather than developing the entire area as an apartment complex, if we propose to partially develop it as a convergence industrial zone for advanced industries such as semiconductor demonstration, research, and production, making it a key base for Gwangju's core industries, or to create the desired MRO industrial complex and RE100 national industrial complex in Muan, it is feasible, and the province will actively support it."

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