On October 30th, South Jeolla Province, in collaboration with Naju City, Korea Energy University, and representatives from industry, academia, and research institutions, launched the Artificial Sun Research Facility Attraction Committee at Korea Energy University. The committee pledged to position the province as a key hub for future nuclear fusion energy technology through the successful attraction of the research facility. Participants also expressed their strong commitment to establishing Naju as the “center of Korea’s artificial sun research industry.”
The bidding committee has about 120 members, including lawmakers, media, civic and corporate leaders, university presidents, and science and technology experts, to ensure strong local participation and support.
Bid Committee Role to attract the Artificial Sun Research Facility to Naju
- Promoting public awareness of the bid and mobilizing support
- Coordinating joint requests to the government to host the facility in Jeollanam-do
- Collaborating with regional universities, companies, and research institutes
- Strengthening cooperation between the government and the National Assembly
Following the launch ceremony, South Jeolla Province plans to establish a public-private partnership to host the artificial sun research facility and to accelerate public participation and consensus-building. If selected as the host site, the facility is expected to significantly boost the local economy, attracting over 200 companies and creating more than 10,000 jobs by 2050 through the influx of specialized personnel and the concentration of related industries. The government announced on the 16th that it will select the final candidate site in November after reviewing proposals, conducting on-site evaluations, and assessing presentations.