Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Requests Designation of Suncheon as a 'Opportunity Development Special Zone'

Request to Minister of Industry Visit-gyu for Designation of Opportunity Development Special Zone

Suncheon National University’s Selection as a ‘Glocal University’ is Essential for Regional Balanced Development

Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol (Democratic Party, Suncheon (Gap), National Assembly Judiciary Committee Whip) met with Minister Bang Beom-gyu of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 18th to discuss continuous support measures for the ‘Suncheon Animation Cluster,’ which Assemblyman So had worked hard to attract in the previous year at the National Assembly, and requested that the Ministry designate Suncheon as a ‘Opportunity Development Zone.’

The Suncheon Animation Cluster was confirmed for establishment thanks to Assemblyman So’s persistent efforts during the 2022 National Assembly budget increase process, and since national funding was allocated starting in September, detailed design is currently underway. As the first and only animation cluster in Korea, it is expected to have tremendous future value and development potential.

Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol meeting with Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-gyu Photo by Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol's Office

Suncheon is evaluated as the optimal location for fostering the animation industry, given its excellent educational environment where all local universities have animation-related departments.

Moreover, with the addition of the national infrastructure of the ‘Animation Cluster,’ Assemblyman So explained that the plan is to pass the national budget of 19.3 billion KRW for next year through the National Assembly and, with the government’s full support, develop Suncheon into a forward base for the animation industry’s growth.

Assemblyman So recently welcomed President Yoon Seok-yeol’s statement, “I will take an interest in the Suncheon animation project and instruct government ministries accordingly,” and requested Minister Bang’s full support to have Suncheon designated as an ‘Opportunity Development Zone,’ a new model for regional balanced development currently being promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The ‘Opportunity Development Zone’ is designated by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy as an area requiring support from relevant central administrative agencies and local governments to attract large-scale private investment.

Once designated as a special zone, the state and local governments can provide administrative and financial support to investment corporations, which is expected to alleviate the imbalance centered on the metropolitan area and promote the development and advancement of regionally specialized industries.

Assemblyman So emphasized, “If Suncheon grows into the center of the animation industry, it will create youth jobs and revitalize the old downtown area, leading to a virtuous cycle of industrial development.”

Additionally, Assemblyman So mentioned that Suncheon National University, which specializes in cultural content industries by producing animators, has been preliminarily designated as one of the Glocal University 30, and requested that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy pay attention to Suncheon National University’s designation as part of regional balanced development.

Minister Bang attentively listened to Assemblyman So’s request and responded that he would carefully review it.

Assemblyman So is also making all-out efforts, including actively requesting support from the Ministry of Education for the selection of Suncheon National University as a Glocal University.

Suncheon = Lee Yeon-kyung, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy hss79@asiae.co.kr