Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongcheon, and Cheongdo Go All-Out to Secure Future Industries and Stabilize Livelihoods

Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongcheon, and Cheongdo County are taking multifaceted steps to revitalize the local economy and secure future growth engines, ranging from agricultural innovation and attracting high-tech industries to enhancing welfare.

On April 28, Pohang City conducted its first planting of long-grain rice (characterized by its elongated shape) in the Cheongha-myeon area as part of an initiative to diversify rice consumption.

Panoramic View of Pohang City Hall

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This is the first attempt of its kind in North Gyeongsang Province, marking a strategic shift away from the traditional focus on short-grain varieties to target the growing demand for rice used in dining out, food processing, and among foreign workers.

The city plans to cultivate the 'Keirong' and 'Amimyeon' varieties on a 1-hectare scale to verify their adaptability to the region, with intentions to expand them as new income-generating crops in the future.

Gyeongju City has been selected for a public project led by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and will invest a total of 19.8 billion won by 2029 to establish the 'Radiation Environment Robot Demonstration Center.'

A bird's-eye view of the Small Modular Reactor Decommissioning Research Center, where the Robot Demonstration Center will be established. Provided by Gyeongju City

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This center, to be built on the site of the Central Research Institute for Decommissioning of Nuclear Reactors in Yangnam-myeon, will serve as core infrastructure for verifying the reliability of robots working in high-radiation environments.

Through this project, the city aims to accelerate the commercialization of nuclear decommissioning technology and create synergies with next-generation nuclear power industries such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

On April 28, Yeongcheon City announced that it would sign an investment agreement (MOU) worth 15 billion won with the automotive parts specialist company Jungwoo Hightech Co., Ltd.

Yeongcheon City Hall Panorama

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Jungwoo Hightech Co., Ltd. plans to expand its production lines for key components such as automobile seat frames on a 16,500-square-meter site within the Yeongcheon Kumho General Industrial Complex.

Once this investment is completed, about 50 new jobs are expected to be created, which is anticipated to greatly contribute to local economic revitalization and strengthening the competitiveness of the auto parts industry.

Park Geonsam, Director of Corporate Attraction, stated, "This agreement will serve as a catalyst for Yeongcheon to emerge as a new hub of the automotive parts industry," adding, "We will provide full administrative support so that companies can settle and grow in Yeongcheon."

The Cheongdo County Mental Health Welfare Center is operating 'DoFarmin,' an agriculture-linked program aimed at supporting vocational rehabilitation for people with mental illness, and has received an enthusiastic response.

Cheongdo County Mental Health Welfare Center is receiving great response by operating 'DoFarmin (桃FARM人)'. Provided by Cheongdo County

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Registered members participate in the entire process of cultivating, harvesting, processing (such as making jam), and selling crops themselves, fostering self-reliance through this initiative.

In particular, Jo Heepyo, the head of the partner farm 'Donggok-ri 323,' has become a role model for community integration by receiving a provincial governor's commendation on Health Day in recognition of his contributions.

Officials from each local government commented, "In response to rapidly changing industrial environments and social structures, we will establish effective support measures from agriculture to advanced industries to bring about changes that local residents can truly feel."

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