Jeollanamdo Europe Office

Representative Office of Jeollanamdo Provincial Government of South Korea

Category: AI

Semiconductors Open the Way to a Grand Renaissance of the Gwangju–Jeonnam Special City with 4 Million Residents

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Gwangju and Jeollanam-do are jointly advancing the development of a large-scale semiconductor cluster, aiming to establish the region as a new core base of Korea’s semiconductor industry. Governor Kim Young-rok presented the vision of a “Grand Renaissance of the Gwangju–Jeonnam Special City with four million residents.”

At the heart of the initiative is a three-axis semiconductor cluster that integrates the complementary strengths of both regions and offers a sustainable alternative to the heavy concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area. The project is further supported by the recently enacted Semiconductor Special Act, which allows priority cluster designation and exemptions from preliminary feasibility studies.

Under the plan, Gwangju will serve as an innovation and talent hub, leveraging universities, research institutes, and planned testing and R&D facilities. Western Jeollanam-do will be developed as a production base, centered on the Solaseado enterprise city, supported by stable industrial water supply, large-scale renewable energy, and logistics access via Muan International Airport. Eastern Jeollanam-do will function as a convergence hub for semiconductors and AI, upgrading existing industrial clusters and linking them with advanced technologies such as batteries and physical AI.

Through this three-axis cluster, Gwangju and Jeollanam-do aim to attract global companies, create high-quality jobs, and retain young talent, positioning the region as a key driver of balanced national industrial growth.

Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative Expands Low-Cost Smart Farms to 100 New Farms

Posted by on in 2026, Agriculture, AILeave a comment

The Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative is accelerating the large-scale expansion of low-cost smart farms, with plans to extend the program to 100 additional farms within this year. The initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity despite climate change and labor shortages.

The smart farm model significantly reduces initial investment costs and enables farmers to manage their operations more efficiently through remote monitoring, environmental control, and data-driven crop management. Particular emphasis is placed on its user-friendly system, which allows even elderly farmers to adopt digital farming technologies with ease.

The smart farm installed in Gokseong has been operating successfully since last year and is regarded as a best-practice model. With subsidies of up to 60% and additional support from local governments, farmers are required to cover only 10% of the total costs.

Through close cooperation with local governments and partner institutions, the Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative aims to accelerate the spread of smart agriculture and strengthen the competitiveness of rural communities.

Naju Accelerates Push for RE100 Semiconductor Cluster

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Naju City is accelerating efforts to develop an RE100-based semiconductor cluster, aiming to position itself as a leading hub for renewable-energy-driven advanced industries.

Backed by a strong energy ecosystem—including the headquarters of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), advanced research facilities, talent and startup hubs, and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH)—the city offers high credibility and feasibility for an RE100 industrial complex.

Naju plans to provide 1.2 million pyeong (approx. 4 million m²) of industrial land with secured water and power infrastructure. The proposed development includes multiple semiconductor clusters, such as power semiconductors, renewable energy semiconductors, mobility-related semiconductors, bio- and agri-food semiconductors, and AI-based power semiconductors.

By reducing the renewable energy transition burden for companies and supporting ESG management through shared renewable energy use, the RE100 industrial complex is expected to attract major Korean conglomerates and global firms.

Naju City aims to leverage this initiative to establish itself as a flagship high-tech and clean-energy industrial hub.

Jeollanam-do Declares 2026 the “First Year of Scientific and Technological Advancement”– Province Announces Major Leap Toward a Global Innovation City Driven by AI, Energy, and Advanced Industries

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Jeollanam-do has officially designated 2026 as the “First Year of Scientific and Technological Advancement,” signaling a bold transformation toward becoming a global innovation hub based on artificial intelligence, clean energy, and cutting-edge technologies. The announcement was made during the provincial New Year Kickoff Ceremony held on January 5.

Governor Kim Young-rok emphasized that Jeonnam has strengthened its national position by securing 10 trillion KRW in national funding for the first time, overcoming last year’s political challenges, and emerging as Korea’s center for AI and energy, attracting world-class companies. Building on these achievements, he declared a “Golden Grand Leap” that will reshape the province’s future industrial landscape.

Key priorities outlined in the address include:

  • Expanding renewable energy such as solar, wind, and agrivoltaics to significantly raise farm income and establish an inclusive model of energy-based basic income.
  • Advancing future technologies—fusion energy, artificial intelligence, aerospace, advanced materials—through close collaboration with major universities, while establishing regional AI data center clusters and a southern semiconductor innovation belt.
  • Promoting AI-based transformation across traditional core industries such as petrochemicals, steel, and shipbuilding, as well as in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock through the “Jeonnam-model AX.”
  • Strengthening global presence by ensuring the success of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo and pursuing the 2028 G20 Summit and COP33, while building a Southern Coast tourism belt leveraging nature, culture, and improved nationwide transport links.

Governor Kim concluded by reaffirming the province’s vision of becoming the AI and energy capital of Korea, advancing administrative cooperation with Gwangju, and positioning Jeonnam at the heart of the southern semiconductor belt.

Haenam Declares 2025 the Year of Its Rise as Korea’s “AI and Energy Capital”– Major national projects open historic opportunities for the region

Posted by on in 2025, AI, TechnologyLeave a comment

Haenam County has identified 2025 as a decisive turning point in its emergence as Korea’s leading hub for artificial intelligence and energy innovation. In his year-end address, Governor Myeong Hyun-gwan stated that Haenam is “no longer the land’s end, but the heart of Korea’s new AI and energy era.”

Key achievements include securing the National AI Computing Center, a mega-scale project expected to generate significant economic impact, and LS Group’s decision to build a dedicated offshore wind power port in the Hwawon Industrial Complex. The likelihood of additional flagship projects—such as the OpenAI–SK large-scale AI Data Center and the RE100 National Industrial Complex—is increasing, positioning Haenam at the forefront of Korea’s technological and energy transformation.

Haenam also made notable progress in agriculture, tourism, and regional development: construction of major agricultural research and climate centers is set to begin, smart-farming initiatives are advancing, large-scale festivals and international sports events boosted visitor numbers, and the Haenam Love Gift Certificate surpassed 820 billion KRW in cumulative sales.

The county achieved high national recognition as well, receiving the top grade in the national public-sector integrity assessment for the first time and maintaining the highest rating for seven consecutive years in the manifesto fulfillment evaluation.

Governor Myeong expressed gratitude to Haenam’s residents for their role in these accomplishments, pledging to build “an even more vibrant and livable Haenam” together in 2026.