Jeju and North Jeolla Selected as 'Technology Innovation Hubs'... Foundation Aims to Build Innovation Ecosystems

Jeju and North Jeolla have been designated as technology innovation hubs, enabling them to begin building innovation ecosystems.

The Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation (hereafter referred to as the Foundation) announced on the 7th that Jeju (clean hydrogen) and North Jeolla (secondary batteries) have been selected as 'technology innovation hubs' (hereafter referred to as hubs) in the regional technology innovation hub development support project competition.

Jeju Island's roadmap for the development of high-efficiency water electrolysis systems and core component technologies. Provided by the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation

According to the selection results, these regions will receive a total budget of 20 billion won over the next five years, starting from this year. The project is being implemented under the Special Act on the Promotion of National Strategic Technologies, with the aim of building regionally specialized innovation ecosystems by linking national strategic technologies with local industries, and supporting the dissemination of national strategic technologies and the creation of new industries.

Jeju and North Jeolla will establish and implement their project plans under the leadership of local governments. At least 20% of the national funding will be matched with local funding, and the project will proceed by linking support and investment in budget, organization, and institutional aspects, such as forming dedicated teams and enacting or revising related ordinances.

Through this project, the Jeju hub will establish an integrated platform that connects RE100-based clean hydrogen production, demonstration, and commercialization. It also aims to promote the localization of water electrolysis technology and secure demonstration infrastructure, thereby expanding a hydrogen industry ecosystem centered on the region. In addition, Jeju plans to expand private sector cooperation and establish representative hydrogen utilization models.

The North Jeolla hub will work to strengthen the upstream and downstream value chain and connect to the global supply chain, based on the localization of core materials for secondary batteries and the commercialization of recycling technologies. The project's goal is to build a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem in the region through technological advancement and to foster the growth of new secondary battery industries centered on the region.

The Foundation plans to use this project to nurture strategic technology hubs led by local regions, spread technology innovation models nationwide, and establish a foundation for sustainable growth.

Jung Heegwon, Chairman of the Foundation, said, "The purpose of selecting these hubs is to efficiently link national strategic technologies with regional innovation capabilities and to create innovation ecosystems tailored to each region. We will continue to support Jeju and North Jeolla so they can establish strategic technology hubs based on their local resources."

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