[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) is joining hands with local governments to revitalize rural areas for the creation of innovation clusters.
On the 23rd, LH announced that it signed a "Basic Agreement for the Creation of a Growth Hub in Gimje City and Revitalization of Rural Areas" together with Gimje City, Jeonbuk Province, and the Jeonbuk Research Institute at the LH Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters.
Gimje City, traditionally a rural area centered on the Gimje Plain, has recently been fostering the special-purpose vehicle construction machinery industry as a regional strategic industry. In July, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport selected the Gimje Special-Purpose Vehicle Innovation Cluster Project as the only investment-leading district nationwide in this year's regional development project competition, aiming for new growth. Special-purpose vehicles refer to vehicles equipped with special equipment for specific uses such as rescue, medical, social welfare, and construction.
This agreement was made to unite efforts through governance among LH, Gimje City, and the Jeonbuk Research Institute to promote the creation of the Gimje Special-Purpose Vehicle Innovation Cluster and related housing, jobs, and living SOC (social overhead capital) package projects.
Going forward, LH will cooperate in constructing the second-phase industrial complex linked to the existing first-phase special-purpose vehicle industrial complex and building job-linked support housing for workers in the special-purpose vehicle industrial complex and smart farm innovation valley. Additionally, package projects such as village maintenance-type public housing projects and creation of return-to-farm complexes will also be pursued.
Gimje City will provide various administrative and financial support related to cluster creation, while the Jeonbuk Research Institute will be responsible for researching and proposing various pilot projects considering Gimje City's regional characteristics and offering expert advice in specialized fields.
As a result of this agreement, once the early completion of the second-phase special-purpose vehicle industrial complex and job-linked support housing and other residential complexes in the surrounding area are completed, it is expected to create a leading rural regeneration model by improving population inflow and the quality of residential and living services in the surrounding areas.
Byun Chang-hoom, President of LH, said, "I hope this agreement will serve as an opportunity to establish a rural revitalization business model linked to jobs," adding, "As a leading institution for national balanced development, LH will do its best to further improve the quality of life for rural residents."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
