Gangwon Province Selected for 'AI Factory Competition' for Second Consecutive Year... "A New Growth Engine for Regional Manufacturing"

Secured a Total of 7.9 Billion Won in National Funding
Fostering Local Industry by Expanding AI Robots and Equipment in Manufacturing Sites

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on October 1 that its project in the subsea cable manufacturing sector was finally selected in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's '2025 AI Factory Leading Project' competition, securing 4.4 billion won in national funding.

LS Cable & System AI/Autonomous Control Architecture Proposal. Provided by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

This achievement follows last year's selection of Samcheok Sampyo Cement, which secured 3.5 billion won in national funding, marking Gangwon Province's selection for two consecutive years. It demonstrates that Gangwon can lead innovation in the regional manufacturing industry in line with the government's AI transformation strategy.

The AI Factory project is a national strategic initiative restructured from last year's 'AI Autonomous Manufacturing Leading Project' promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It aims to introduce and expand AI-based robots and equipment in various manufacturing sites.

The newly selected project was jointly planned by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Donghae City, LS Cable & System Donghae Plant, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Gangwon Technology Commercialization Center. The goal is to apply AI technology to the complex subsea cable production process to maximize equipment efficiency and minimize production losses.

To achieve this, the plan is to replicate the physical space and equipment of the subsea cable production plant, as well as operational data such as manufacturing planning and equipment control, in a virtual environment (digital twin), and to develop an AI model that identifies the optimal operational methods through pre-simulation.

Furthermore, in response to slowing growth caused by low birth rates, an aging population, and population decline, the government has presented the 'AI Transformation' as the only breakthrough for growth. In the 'New Government Economic Growth Strategy' announced on August 22, the government emphasized the immediate implementation of seven major projects in the corporate sector, including the AI Factory, alongside the announcement of 15 leading projects for the AI Transformation.

Gangwon Province, in line with government policy, identified and proposed seven tasks for the 'AI Factory Leading Project' to introduce and expand AI technology across industries. The subsea cable manufacturing project, which is expected to have a significant ripple effect if successful, was ultimately selected.

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "The introduction of the AI Factory will strengthen the competitiveness of the regional manufacturing industry and serve as a new growth engine for sustainable development." He added, "We will continue to discover companies eligible for the AI Factory, actively encourage their participation in public projects, and link and spread the achievements of selected projects to companies within the province."

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