A New Chapter for the Local Era Begins in Ulsan... "Korea Local Era Expo" Opens

Opening at Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center on November 19,
Three-Day Event Runs Through November 21
Ulsan Metropolitan City Hall Showcases Strategy for "Ulsan, Korea's AI Capital"

On the 30th anniversary of local autonomy, South Korea stands at a historical crossroads.

The "2025 Korea Local Era Expo," which presents a new milestone for balanced regional growth in South Korea, will be held from November 19 to 21 for three days at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center and surrounding areas.

This event is jointly organized by the Presidential Committee for Local Era, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ulsan City, with the active participation of central government ministries, all 17 metropolitan and provincial governments, and numerous public institutions nationwide.

Under the slogan "K-BALANCE 2025," the expo will provide a platform to share visions and practical strategies for a new model of balanced growth that leverages regional characteristics and ensures a sustainable future for the nation.

On the opening day, November 19, at 2 p.m., the "3rd Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day Ceremony" will be held, attended by over 400 people including Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Chairman of the Presidential Committee for Local Era Kim Kyungsoo, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong, and Ulsan Mayor Kim Dookyum, to highlight the achievements and future vision of balanced development policies.

Following the ceremony, government officials, local authorities, and experts will discuss future regional policies at academic conferences and policy forums.

The exhibition will feature 366 booths, allowing visitors to see at a glance the balanced growth achievements and major policies of government ministries, all 17 metropolitan and provincial governments, and educational offices.

Ulsan City will operate a special exhibition hall (Ulsan Metropolitan City Hall) under the theme "Korea's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capital," showcasing its vision to become the AI capital of Korea by leveraging over 60 years of manufacturing data and its AI Data Center, moving beyond its traditional role as the industrial capital.

In addition, the city will introduce examples of AI adoption and expansion in its four major industries-automotive, shipbuilding, petrochemicals, and non-ferrous metals-as well as in new and renewable energy sectors such as hydrogen, offshore wind power, and secondary batteries. Ulsan will also actively promote its future as an AI capital through initiatives like the Ulsan AI Data Center, the Sovereign AI Cluster, and the Underwater Data Center.

Through the operation of this special exhibition hall, the city expects to demonstrate that Ulsan, equipped with the three pillars of data, energy, and talent, will play a central role in South Korea's emergence as a global AI powerhouse.

In addition, a variety of events will be held, including experience and sales programs highlighting Ulsan's unique characteristics, performances by young artists, food trucks at the Ulsan Story Square, and the "Ulsan Sports Challenge," where visitors can try out sports such as soccer and basketball.

Mayor Kim Dookyum stated, "Since being designated as a specialized industrial zone in 1962, Ulsan has been at the heart of South Korea's industrial growth. With the implementation of local autonomy in 1995 and its elevation to metropolitan city status in 1997, Ulsan expanded its self-governing authority. Through the 2025 Korea Local Era Expo, held on the 30th anniversary of local autonomy, we aim to widely showcase Ulsan's history as a symbolic city where industry, environment, and culture have developed in harmony."

Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center.

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