Minister Kim Jungkwan Inspects Batteries and Displays in Central Region... Launches M.AX Expansion Centered on Industrial Complexes

Kim Jungkwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is delivering a keynote speech at the "1st Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee Meeting" held on the 17th at Sejong City Osong Hotel in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

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On April 17, Kim Jungkwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited the central region to assess the competitiveness of the secondary battery and display industries, and began in earnest to promote the spread of Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) centered on industrial complexes.

Minister Kim held a breakfast meeting at Sejong City Osong Hotel on the same day with representatives from secondary battery companies such as Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, and SK On, as well as display companies including Samsung Display and Wonik IPS, in addition to officials from relevant associations. During the meeting, they reviewed the current status of the industrial ecosystem and addressed its challenges.

The discussion covered major issues such as investment, workforce, and supply chain amid intensifying global competition and rising external uncertainties. In particular, policy directions such as the introduction of battery leasing systems, research and development (R&D) initiatives led by demand anchor companies, and measures to strengthen win-win cooperation within the industrial ecosystem were also considered.

Minister Kim stated, "Secondary batteries and displays are core foundational industries that support the overall sectors, including mobility, energy storage systems (ESS), and robotics. We will secure a clear competitive advantage in the global market by strengthening the ecosystem and accelerating the spread of M.AX."

Next, at the same venue, Minister Kim presided over the "1st Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee Meeting," where strategies for AI-driven transformation centered on industrial complexes were discussed. This was the first meeting held since the establishment of the Industrial Complex AX Subcommittee.

The meeting focused on directions for forming M.AX clusters and operational strategies around ten MINI alliances. The government plans to build an AI-based manufacturing innovation ecosystem in key industrial complexes across different regions and to spread the results of these transformations throughout the broader regional industries.

Minister Kim emphasized, "We will build the M.AX ecosystem so that industrial complexes can function as growth engines for Korea and expand the achievements of AI transformation to all regions."

Meanwhile, starting today, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is holding an industrial complex policy hackathon for two days in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province. Young workers will participate directly to discover improvement ideas for industrial complexes across five areas: safety and environment, living conditions, transportation and mobility, daily life and convenience, and self-development. These ideas will be further developed into concrete policies.

The government intends to use this field activity as an opportunity to transform industrial complexes into advanced industrial hubs that attract young talent, moving beyond their traditional role as mere production bases, and to rapidly implement a regional-led growth strategy based on the "5 Core Regions, 3 Specialized Zones" initiative.

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