Governor Kim Kwan-young: "Gimje and Wanju to Be Developed as Future Mobility Innovation Hubs"

Inspection of Korea's Only Specialized Vehicle Inspection and Certification Infrastructure

Visit to Hyundai Motor’s Jeonju Plant, the Nation’s Largest Commercial Vehicle Base

Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, visited Gimje and Wanju to inspect the specialized vehicle and eco-friendly commercial vehicle industry sites, further developing the province's future mobility strategy.

Former Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province Governor Kim Gwanyoung visited Gimje and Wanju on the 29th to inspect the special purpose vehicle industry and eco-friendly commercial vehicle production sites. Photo by Jeonbuk Autonomous Province

On the 29th, Governor Kim visited the Baekgu Special Purpose Vehicle Cluster in Gimje to review the operations of the inspection support center and the self-certification center. This cluster, the only integrated specialized vehicle complex in Korea, covers approximately 700,000 square meters and has received an investment of KRW 86.1 billion. It serves as a key industrial base in Jeonbuk where related companies and research institutes are concentrated.

The inspection and certification facilities established on-site conduct regular and comprehensive inspections, tuning checks, and performance tests. They play a crucial role in ensuring the technological reliability of companies and supporting their entry into the market.

Governor Kim emphasized, "The specialized vehicle industry is currently undergoing a major transformation toward electrification and smart technologies. Inspection and certification are not just administrative procedures but are core elements that determine a company's competitiveness." He continued, "Based on a fair and highly reliable inspection and certification system, please play a central role so that companies in Jeonbuk can be confidently recognized in the global market."

Afterwards, Governor Kim visited Hyundai Motor Company's Jeonju Plant in Wanju to receive a production status report and inspect the LT2 production line. The Jeonju Plant, which can produce 36,000 trucks and buses annually, is the largest commercial vehicle base in Korea and serves as a pillar of Jeonbuk's manufacturing industry and employment. The LT2 line, targeted for mass production in 2027, is an essential facility for expanding eco-friendly commercial vehicles based on electricity and LPG, and is considered a key factor in determining the plant's future competitiveness.

Governor Kim stated, "We will actively utilize institutional foundations such as the Jeonbuk Special Act to enhance the productivity and market responsiveness of companies, and will work to draw up a future mobility industry roadmap in connection with Saemangeum."

Meanwhile, a special exemption is currently being promoted to introduce provisional operation permits before vehicle shipment by utilizing the Jeonbuk Special Act. This exemption expands the current provisional operation permit system, which is centered on the 'post-shipment' stage, to also include the 'pre-shipment' stage. Through this exemption, it is expected that the industry will see both improved efficiency and ripple effects, including: expanding specialized processes with external partner companies, securing production process flexibility, shortening lead times between manufacturing, customization, and shipment, and increasing participation from local parts and specialized vehicle companies.

Jeonbuk Province aims to establish an industrial innovation system that goes beyond production-centered structures by integrating systems, technology, and manufacturing.

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