Pyeongchang County Achieves Designation as Core Area in Gangwon-Style Green Bio Industry Development Zone

Pyeongchang to Take on Central Role as Core Region for Upstream Industries in the 'Gangwon Green Bio Industry V Valley'

On December 1, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has been officially designated as a 'Green Bio Industry Development Zone.' This designation follows the approval of the 'Gangwon Green Bio Industry V Valley' (hereinafter referred to as 'V Valley'), a regional initiative connecting the four cities and counties of Chuncheon, Gangneung, Hongcheon, and Pyeongchang. As a result, Pyeongchang County has been officially recognized as a core area for Gangwon's green bio industry development strategy.

Pyeongchang County Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone. Provided by Pyeongchang County

The designated development zone within Pyeongchang County covers an area of 2,701,125 square meters (270.1 hectares) and consists of three locations: the Seoul National University Green-Bio Advanced Research Complex (Daehwa-myeon), the Gangwon Smart Farm (Daegwallyeong-myeon), and the Pyeongchang County Smart Farm (Pyeongchang-eup).

The county boasts a pristine highland environment and abundant natural and agricultural bio-resources. It is also equipped with a range of research, demonstration, and commercialization infrastructure, including the Herbal Medicine Distribution Support Facility, the Special Crop Industrialization Support Center (scheduled for completion in 2026), the Wild Ginseng Convergence Support Center (opening in 2026), and the Green Bio Venture Campus, which is set to be completed in 2027.

In particular, the county has been designated to serve as the 'research, startup, and technology commercialization hub zone' within the V Valley. It has been recognized as a key region responsible for core capabilities in upstream industries (raw materials and R&D), including the production, pre-processing, and demonstration of crop materials based on natural raw ingredients, support for companies' early-stage research, startups, and technology commercialization, and the standardization of functional materials and basic R&D.

The designation as a development zone is not merely a nominal title. It brings tangible and institutional benefits, such as eligibility to participate in government infrastructure projects like the Biofoundry, additional points for various support programs for companies within the zone, and special provisions for the use and leasing of public property managed by local governments, along with other administrative and financial support.

Shim Jaeguk, Mayor of Pyeongchang County, stated, "The official inclusion of Pyeongchang County in the nationally designated green bio development zone marks a major turning point for our local industry. We will do our utmost to ensure that this process, which positions Pyeongchang as the starting point for the 'Gangwon-style green bio industry,' leads to tangible benefits for residents, such as job creation, attracting businesses, and increasing local income."

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