Gumi City Invests 28.2 Billion Won Including National Funding in K-Food Industry

Securing the "Food Tech Research Support Center"
To Be Established in Seonsan from 2026 to 2028
Building a Smart Manufacturing and AI-Based Demonstration Platform
Full-Scale Industrialization for Export Begins

On December 2, the city of Gumi in North Gyeongsang Province was finally selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 2026 "Food Tech Research Support Center" project, securing a key hub for the industrialization of smart food manufacturing and the expansion of K-Food exports.

The Food Tech Research Support Center (hereinafter referred to as "the Center") will be built with a total investment of 28.2 billion won, including 12.5 billion won in national funding. The facility, with a total floor area of approximately 3,574 square meters, will be constructed in the Seonsan-eup area from 2026 to 2028.

Food Tech Research Support Center Bird's-eye View / Provided by Gumi City Hall

The planned site is surrounded by major food industry infrastructure such as the Gyeongbuk Branch of the Korea Food Research Institute, the Agricultural Products Processing Technology Center, and the Agricultural Products Distribution Center. This concentration of facilities is considered a key strength, as it enables the entire cycle from research and development (R&D) to processing and distribution to be seamlessly connected.

In addition, synergy effects are expected when combined with Gumi’s smart manufacturing infrastructure, which has been developed over 50 years through its electronics industry base.

The Center will operate an AI-based food tech smart manufacturing demonstration platform to accelerate digital transformation in the food sector, providing comprehensive support for the adoption of customized technologies by businesses.

Specifically, the Gumi Electronics and Information Technology Institute will be responsible for simulation of food manufacturing process design and demonstration of pilot production using these processes, while the Gyeongbuk Branch of the Korea Food Research Institute will handle support for quality and safety management technologies.

A workforce training system linked to the regional industrial structure will also be established. In collaboration with the Food Tech Contract Department at Kyungpook National University and RISE projects at Kyungwoon University and Gumi University, the Center will nurture both AI smart manufacturing specialists and on-site food industry professionals among current employees and students.

This initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for the government’s goal of achieving 15 billion dollars in K-Food exports by 2030.

Last year, the city established a dedicated food tech department and has since worked closely with North Gyeongsang Province, continuously requesting national funding support. At the same time, Gumi has built cooperative networks with relevant organizations, universities, and food companies, making every effort to secure selection for this project.

Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho stated, "This selection marks an important step for Gumi to become the center of Korea’s food tech industry. Through the Center, we will actively support technological innovation and the adoption of smart manufacturing by local companies, and establish a core foundation for entry into the global food market."

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