Gwangju Business Community Welcomes Final Selection of Naju for Artificial Sun Research Facility

Job Creation and Research Collaboration Anticipated
"A Turning Point for the Future Energy Industry"

Aerial view of the artificial sun research facility.

Gwangju's economic organizations have expressed their support for the final selection of Naju, South Jeolla Province, as the site for the Artificial Sun Research Facility.

On December 11, the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a statement welcoming the decision, saying, "This outcome is a comprehensive recognition of Naju's research infrastructure, site competitiveness, and local community acceptance, all of which have been developed over the past several years. This marks a significant turning point for Gwangju and South Jeolla Province to emerge as a hub for the future energy industry."

The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated, "The region's unique strengths-including the energy research base centered around the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), the concentration of public institutions in the Bitgaram Innovation City, the energy valley industrial ecosystem, and the national energy industrial complex-will generate substantial synergies in the development and demonstration of artificial sun technology, as well as in cultivating specialized talent. The success in attracting the facility is also highly significant because it was achieved through broad community cooperation. The presidents of the Gwangju and South Jeolla Chambers of Commerce and Industry participated as members of the site selection committee, actively conveying the region's commitment. Industry, academia, research institutions, and civil society also joined forces to support the bid, consolidating the region's capabilities," it added.

The statement continued, "The establishment of this research facility is expected to have an economic ripple effect worth approximately 10 trillion won, create more than 10,000 jobs, attract new energy industry companies, and expand global research collaboration, generating significant benefits for the regional economy as a whole. This selection has laid an important foundation for not only Naju but also the entire Gwangju and South Jeolla region to become the energy capital of Korea."

The Gwangju Employers Federation also released a statement of support, saying, "We sincerely welcome, together with the local business community, the selection of Naju, South Jeolla Province, as the final site for the Artificial Sun Research Facility, a core fusion technology development and advanced infrastructure project led by the Ministry of Science and ICT. This achievement is the result of meticulous preparations by Naju City and South Jeolla Province, centered around the Korea Institute of Energy Technology, and once again proves that Gwangju and South Jeolla are at the heart of Korea's energy industry."

The statement further noted, "With the establishment of this scientific infrastructure, which involves an investment of 1.2 trillion won, the Gwangju-South Jeolla Joint Innovation City has gained a genuine opportunity to become a global energy capital, moving beyond a simple R&D center. This selection will serve as a firm foothold for Korea to gain leadership in the global competition for future energy dominance."

They also expressed high expectations for the trickle-down effect on the regional economy, stating, "The construction of the research facility is expected to create about 10,000 jobs and attract around 2,000 scholars and professional researchers. If Naju's energy infrastructure combines with Gwangju's AI industry and outstanding manufacturing capabilities, it is anticipated to generate enormous synergies, including attracting energy valley companies and fostering the growth of both upstream and downstream industries."

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