Prime Minister Han Deok-su Visits Donghoan of Gwangyang National Industrial Complex

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the Donghoan site of the Gwangyang National Industrial Complex on the 19th to carry out on-site administration aimed at improving systems to expedite investment in new growth industries.

He stated that parts possible under the current system would be implemented immediately, and matters requiring legal amendments would complete legislative notice within the first half of the year for execution.

Attendees at the site included Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang; Lee Won-jae, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Lee Jeong-won, 2nd Vice Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Hwang Soo-sung, Director of the Industrial Infrastructure Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Lee Jeong-hyun, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of the National Balanced Development Committee; and Moon Geum-ju, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do.

[Photo by Gwangyang-si]

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The Donghoan area of the Gwangyang National Industrial Complex, visited that day, has been under development since 1989 when POSCO Co., Ltd. received development plan approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the purpose of expanding the Gwangyang Steelworks facilities and creating a slag treatment plant.

Currently, out of 2.3 million pyeong, 1.35 million pyeong are in operation with factory establishments, while 950,000 pyeong remain unused or are undergoing reclamation of shared waters. The POSCO Group plans to invest over 4.43 trillion KRW + α in advanced national industries such as secondary battery materials and hydrogen production on the Donghoan site.

Under current laws, only steel-related industries are allowed, making investment in new industries like secondary batteries impossible. However, since November last year, Gwangyang City has repeatedly explained the institutional issues related to Donghoan investment to central government ministries and strongly urged legal amendments. Accordingly, relevant ministries have agreed and committed to cooperating on system improvements.

Through Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s on-site administration, it is expected that clear resolution of regulatory difficulties will establish a foundation for attracting large-scale investments in advanced industries such as secondary batteries and hydrogen energy, leading the future industrial development of Jeollanam-do.

Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, said, “In the global trend of the carbon-neutral era, we will focus on fostering future new industries such as secondary batteries and hydrogen industries to revitalize the local economy, create quality jobs, and serve as a strong driving force for future national industries. We thank Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for his proactive on-site administration aimed at regulatory improvements.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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