Ansan City Sheds "Smokestack" Image for "Global Robotics Capital"... Major Leap Forward with ASV Free Economic Zone

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of its promotion to city status, Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province has officially declared its second leap forward, moving away from a manufacturing-centered industrial structure to become an "advanced robotics city." At the heart of this transformation is the "Ansan Science Valley (ASV)," which was recently finalized and announced as a Free Economic Zone by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Ansan Science Valley (ASV) is an industry-academia-research cluster centered around Hanyang University ERICA Campus, where leading national research institutes such as Gyeonggi Technopark, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute are concentrated.

Lee Mingun, Mayor of Ansan City, is giving a presentation at the Ansan City Investment Attraction Briefing within the Science Valley District during the "2025 Robot World" held at Ilsan KINTEX on November 6, 2025. Provided by Ansan City

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According to Ansan City on April 18, "Ansan Science Valley," a core initiative promoted since the launch of the 8th popularly elected local government, entered full-scale implementation this January after being newly designated as a Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone. Through this, the city aims to upgrade the aging Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes and elevate Ansan into a world-class "advanced robotics city."

In particular, once the Hanyang University station on the Shinansan Line opens, the area will boast a prime location with only a 25-minute commute to Yeouido. Ansan City plans to combine these geographical advantages with its research capabilities to create Korea's first "advanced industry R&D-centered Free Economic Zone." The city expects to invest approximately 41.05 billion won by 2032, generating about 8.4 trillion won in induced production and creating around 30,000 jobs.

A Free Economic Zone is a special economic area designed to attract foreign investment and foster national strategic industries. Designation provides various incentives such as location benefits, tax reductions, and simplified administrative procedures. The establishment of international schools and large-scale mixed-use developments is also possible, producing significant economic ripple effects throughout the city.

Going forward, the city plans to swiftly establish implementation plans, develop infrastructure, and devise strategies for talent and investment attraction. In particular, Ansan will gradually execute its "Robot City Ansan" strategy, innovating the city's living environment and industrial ecosystem in conjunction with the opening of the Hanyang University station on the Shinansan Line, mixed-use development of Block 89, and the upgrading of surrounding industrial complexes.

Lee Mingeun, Mayor of Ansan City, visited the headquarters of Robotis on March 20 to provide an explanation for attracting investment in the ASV Free Economic Zone. Provided by Ansan City

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The ASV Free Economic Zone encompasses 1.66 square kilometers (about 500,000 pyeong) in the San 166 area of Sadong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan City. With Hanyang University ERICA at its core, it brings together top national research institutes such as Gyeonggi Technopark, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Korea Testing Laboratory, and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, along with innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, forming the capital region's representative industry-academia-research cluster.

Ansan City is pursuing Korea's first advanced industry R&D-centered Free Economic Zone development, leveraging the outstanding research and innovation capacity of Ansan Science Valley. The area offers excellent accessibility to Seoul, with only a 25-minute express ride from Hanyang University station on the Shinansan Line to Yeouido, as well as a pleasant residential environment (including the Grangcity Xi and Smart City Block 89 developments). It is also highly regarded among Free Economic Zones in Korea for its competitive location and growth potential, thanks to its ties with adjacent Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes and the digital transformation (DX) and artificial intelligence transformation (AX) industries.

The functions of each site include: ▲The third earth fill site (industrial land) for anchor companies and support facilities ▲The second earth fill site for an international school (foreign educational institution) and corporate research institutes ▲The northern part of Block 89 for work, research and development (R&D), MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions), and commercial mixed-use development ▲Hanyang University ERICA campus for an urban high-tech industrial complex (Campus Innovation Park) and a global R&D town. Additionally, the development plan applies relatively high floor area ratios (for quasi-residential and commercial zones) to suit an urban-style Free Economic Zone in the capital area.

Foreign-invested companies will be provided with a range of incentives, such as location benefits, tax reductions, regulatory exemptions, and support in obtaining permits and approvals, which are expected to further strengthen conditions for attracting global advanced companies and startups.

ASV District Master Plan Map. Provided by Ansan City

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Over the past three years, Ansan City has focused on developing plans, attracting investment, and networking among companies, associations, and institutions for the designation of the Free Economic Zone. This designation is the result of consistent administration toward "Robot City Ansan" and "Business-Friendly Ansan," and marks a turning point for a full-scale transition to a startup ecosystem centered on future industries.

The ASV Free Economic Zone continues to attract interest from companies in the AI and advanced robotics fields, including Kakao Data Center, Entegris Technology Center, and Arobot Co., Ltd.

Notably, the ASV Free Economic Zone is adjacent to the Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes, providing a test bed of the largest scale in Korea, where around 20,000 manufacturing companies serve as a base for implementing and verifying robotics technology in logistics, production, inspection, and safety management across diverse industrial sites.

Last month, Mayor Lee Mingun visited the headquarters of ROBOTIS in Seoul to conduct an investor relations (IR) presentation, introducing the robotics industry infrastructure and investment environment to attract companies. In addition, Ansan City is facilitating investment in technology-driven promising companies such as Watt Co., Ltd., which possesses field-oriented robotics technologies, and Articron Co., Ltd., a deep-tech startup specializing in AI semiconductor design (IP), through its second Youth Startup Fund. These efforts are helping to materialize strategic company attraction and expansion of the industrial ecosystem.

Last month, an economic delegation composed of 22 German companies visited the ASV Free Economic Zone to assess its investment environment and industry infrastructure, showing great interest in its robotics technology demonstration conditions.

Ansan City plans to further expand cooperation with overseas government agencies, global companies, and investment institutions, aiming to foster the ASV Free Economic Zone as Korea's leading advanced robotics city and a destination of choice for businesses.

Assembly robot built within the ASV Free Economic Zone Digital Transformation Hub. Provided by Ansan City.

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Additionally, the city will establish a "Robotics Industry Promotion Basic Plan" containing four key strategies: ▲building infrastructure specialized for robotics growth ▲establishing a system for nurturing robotics specialists ▲supporting companies introducing robotics ▲and building governance for the robotics ecosystem, thereby simultaneously promoting the overall restructuring of the industry and securing future growth engines.

To restore the competitiveness of the aging Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes, the city will promote the full-scale introduction of robotics technology and aims to cultivate around 5,720 specialized personnel by 2028 through the capital region’s first and the nation's largest "Robotics Vocational Education Center."

This year, the city is also preparing a support system to reduce the burden on small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting robots, by constructing an AX (AI Transformation) demonstration industrial complex and promoting the dissemination and demonstration of humanoid robots to replace hazardous processes in manufacturing sites.

Mayor Lee Mingun stated, "Ansan will now be reborn as a city leading the AI and advanced robotics industries," adding, "We will focus all our capabilities to ensure that the achievements of the Free Economic Zone directly lead to job creation and improved quality of life for our citizens."

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