Hongcheon County Selected as Gangwon Green Bio Promotion Zone... Set to Become a Food Ingredient Hub

Hwajeon and Sangoan Agro-Industrial Complexes in Hongcheon
Designated as "Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone"
Central Role in Food Ingredient Processing and Demonstration

Hongcheon County announced on December 5 that, following Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province’s final selection in the government’s public contest for the designation of a Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone, the Hwajeon and Sangoan agro-industrial complexes have been designated as regional hubs for food ingredient processing and demonstration within the province.

A panoramic view of Hongcheon County Office. Provided by Hongcheon County

With this designation, Hongcheon County will be responsible for the food ingredient processing and demonstration sectors among the four promotion zones in the province, alongside Chuncheon, Gangneung, and Pyeongchang. The county has also secured an institutional foundation to foster the green bio-based industry as a strategic regional industry.

The Hwajeon and Sangoan agro-industrial complexes, covering a total area of 39.1 hectares, are equipped with the industrial conditions necessary to support the development, demonstration, and commercialization of functional food ingredients. This is expected to contribute to the formation of a high value-added industrial structure that links the local agri-food industry with biotechnology.

Additionally, with the designation of this promotion zone, support for infrastructure development with a national budget of 100 billion won and a 4.2 billion won business support program for resident companies has become possible. Special provisions will also apply, allowing for private contracts regarding the use of land and facilities owned by the local government.

This support system is expected to create an environment conducive to the growth of green bio-related companies and to systematically foster the functional food and bio-material industries.

Hongcheon County is focusing on the materialization industry, including food ingredient research and processing, functional raw material demonstration, and the establishment of a product commercialization testing base. The county also plans to expand collaboration with relevant research institutes and universities to build an industrial ecosystem.

In addition, the county is operating specialized workforce development programs for local youth and talent in related fields to promote the establishment of a sustainable industrial base.

An official from Hongcheon County stated, "With the designation as a promotion zone, we now have the conditions to systematically expand the research, demonstration, and processing functions of the food ingredient-based industry," adding, "We will continue to provide administrative support so that the establishment of an industrial base and support for companies can lead to revitalization of the local economy."

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