[6.3 Election] Democratic Party Pledges Major Transformation for Jeonbuk as AI, Renewable Energy, and Financial Hub

Jeonbuk Provincial Party Announces Seven Major Pledges for Local Elections

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea has unveiled a regional development blueprint centered on artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and the financial industry ahead of the 2026 local elections. The plan envisions transforming Jeonbuk into a growth hub that combines future industries, culture, and the bioeconomy.

Yoon Junbyung (left), Chairman of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Wontak, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, held the "9th Nationwide Local Election Pledge Presentation" at the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Provincial Assembly press conference hall in Jeonju, Jeonbuk on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

Yoon Joonbyung, Chairman of the Jeonbuk Provincial Party, and Lee Wontak, candidate for Governor, held a press conference at the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Council briefing room on the 19th, where they announced the "Seven Major Promises for Jeonbuk" along with 83 "Neighborhood Pledges" tailored to each city and county.

These pledges have been prepared in line with the Lee Jaemyung administration’s policy of balanced regional development and fostering future industries. The Jeonbuk Provincial Party recently highlighted the expansion of advanced industrial investment in Saemangeum and the establishment of a physical AI industrial base, emphasizing that “Jeonbuk is emerging as a strategic hub for Korea’s future industries.”

The foremost pledge is to nurture Jeonbuk as the “AI Autonomous Manufacturing Capital of Korea.” The Democratic Party’s Jeonbuk chapter announced plans to establish a collaborative intelligence-based physical AI R&D ecosystem, build an AI-driven manufacturing platform, and promote the clustering of specialized robotics industries.

In particular, the party proposed renewable energy policies centered on Saemangeum, including: establishing Korea’s first RE100-leading industrial complex; building a 10GW renewable energy production complex; expanding tidal power generation and seawater circulation in Saemangeum; expanding agrivoltaic solar power; and attracting pumped-storage power plants in Jinan and Jangsu. Through these initiatives, the Democratic Party aims to develop Saemangeum into the nation’s leading eco-friendly industrial base.

The Democratic Party also plans to position Jeonbuk as a global K-culture hub by establishing a movie and video industry center, advancing a food tech and alternative foods innovation cluster, and creating a National Pansori Industrial Complex.

Plans to foster advanced industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, green bio, and hydrogen were also announced. Initiatives include a semiconductor advanced chemicals specialized cluster, a Saemangeum secondary battery research and development (R&D) complex, a K-Green Bio innovation hub, and the establishment of a water electrolysis hydrogen reliability evaluation center.

In the agri-bio sector, the party pledged to create a life economy hub linking agriculture with medical and environmental industries by building a National Agricultural AX Platform Support Center and testbed, developing a Saemangeum smart farm, and establishing a national graduate school of medicine in Namwon.

The Democratic Party’s pledges also include attracting the second Central Police Academy, establishing the Jeonbuk Institute of Science and Technology, relocating key public institutions, and constructing the Gohung–Sejong Expressway section between Wanju and Sejong as part of broader infrastructure and public institution initiatives.

The commitment to nurture Jeonju as Korea’s third financial hub was reaffirmed, with plans to build a financial hub specializing in asset management and to attract financial public institutions such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Korea Investment Corporation, and mutual aid associations.

Chairman Yoon Joonbyung stated, “We will be the first to prove the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration in Jeonbuk,” adding, “Democratic Party candidates will unite as one team to advance Jeonbuk’s development and restore livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk Provincial Party established a policy pledge development task force (TF)—including Professor Lee Donggi of Wonkwang University and Jeonbuk Provincial Council members Han Jeongsu and Kim Seongsu—to reflect candidate pledges and residents’ proposals in formulating these promises.

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