Kim Youngrok: "Western Jeonnam to Become an Energy, Semiconductor, and Marine Hub"

Announcement of the 'Seven Major Development Pledges'
Setting the Direction for the Energy Industry
Plans Include Relocation of the National Heritage Agency and Attraction of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation

Kim Youngrok, Democratic Party Preliminary Candidate for Jeonnam Gwangju Special Mayor. Provided by the Candidate Kim Youngrok's Team.

Kim Youngrok, pre-candidate for the Democratic Party for the Special Mayor of Gwangju, Jeonnam, has unveiled his vision to develop the western region of Jeonnam into a RE100-based "Global Energy, Semiconductor, and Marine Hub" that will capture the world's attention.

On March 19, Kim held a press conference at the Jeonnam Provincial Council briefing room and announced the "Seven Major Development Pledges for the Western Region," with these ideas as the main points.

His plan begins with the construction of an "energy expressway" connecting large-scale renewable energy generation complexes such as offshore wind and solar power with the Seoul metropolitan area. He aims to attract global big tech companies with high electricity consumption, such as OpenAI, Google, and Amazon, and to establish a mass production system for general-purpose memory semiconductors.

He also announced his intention to develop the western region into the "AI and Data Industry Capital of Korea," starting with the establishment of an OpenAI data center and a national AI computing center. In addition, he plans to simultaneously promote the AI transformation (AX) of the shipbuilding industry and other key industries in the western region.

Kim further revealed plans to make the western region a "one-stop integrated transportation gateway" where the airport, port, and industrial complexes are all connected, including building a transfer system linking Gwangju Songjeong Station with Muan International Airport. This includes the proposal for a "Jeonnam-style tram" that would connect Mokpo’s original downtown and Mokpo Station to the new towns of Naman and Oryong in Muan.

He also set forth plans to nurture the Kim industry, which enjoys global popularity, as a national strategic industry and establish the western region as a K-food and agro-bio industry production and export hub, aiming to reach 700 million dollars in exports by 2030.

He announced his intention to utilize differentiated resources such as the Dadohae and Namdo’s unique cuisines to develop the western region into a global marine healing and wellness tourism destination.

He pledged to expedite the opening of a national medical school, simultaneously build affiliated university hospitals in the eastern and western regions, and develop the western region, which is a treasure trove of modern cultural heritage, into a cultural, arts, and tourism hub where culture and the arts coexist.

Finally, he expressed his determination to relocate the National Heritage Agency to the western region and attract organizations such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and Korea Airports Corporation to Mokpo and Muan, creating momentum to revitalize the local economy.

Kim stated, "The western region, designated as a center for energy and advanced semiconductors, boasts unlimited potential, with 4 million pyeong of industrial land and 7 million pyeong of surrounding urban areas, making it possible to create a future-oriented, integrated industrial and residential complex of 11 million pyeong." He added, "I will ensure that the western region becomes Korea’s premier hub for future industry, economy, culture, and tourism, where the world’s largest big tech companies come, young people gather for jobs, and people from around the world visit for relaxation."

He emphasized, "In an era where the sun and wind are the drivers of industrial competitiveness, the western region of Jeonnam will become the locomotive that leads Korea’s growth."

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