‘Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex’ Plan Change Fast-Track Approval... Accelerating Infrastructure Development

Approval Notice for Industrial Complex Plan Change Application After 5 Months

Specialized Complex Development and Incoming Companies' Investment Expected to Accelerate

Pohang City is expected to accelerate the creation of a secondary battery cathode material industry specialized complex and the investment progress of companies scheduled to move into the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex.

In March, Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang (right), met with Park Sang-woo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to propose key pending projects in Pohang and actively request support.

On the 16th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport approved and announced the 17th amendment to the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex plan. This was processed through a fast track just five months after LH, the project implementer, applied for the 17th amendment to the Ministry on November 8.

The city has continuously consulted with related organizations such as Gyeongbuk Province, LH Pohang Project Group, Korea Industrial Complex Corporation Pohang Branch, and KEPCO to facilitate early settlement of secondary battery companies and data centers.

In addition, the city actively proposed infrastructure expansion and regulatory improvements to government ministries and the National Assembly, achieving the fast-track approval of the 17th amendment following government-tailored support policies.

This achievement was also supported by active backing from related ministries including the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Environment for establishing the secondary battery specialized complex, a national advanced strategic industry, and for early investment by secondary battery companies and data centers.

The main contents of the 17th amendment to the industrial complex plan include the addition of attraction industries, water supply plans, wastewater treatment plans, and changes to power supply plans.

First, manufacturing industries (C20121, C23, C24, C28) and information and communication industries (J61, J62, J63) were added to the sites planned for investment by secondary battery companies and data centers, enabling rapid settlement and construction. To supply additional industrial water within the complex, new or expanded water purification facilities will be established to supply an additional 21,000 tons of industrial water annually starting in 2031, along with plans to expand the secondary drainage system.

Furthermore, plans were added to construct underground pipelines and relay pumping stations to discharge salt-treated water generated from the production processes of secondary battery companies into public waters. The plan also reflects the establishment of a new substation within the industrial complex and increased line capacity for additional power supply, which is expected to facilitate smooth investment progress for companies scheduled to move in and strengthen the competitiveness of the national industrial complex.

Moreover, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation plan to promptly proceed with changes to the basic management plan of the industrial complex within this month, which is expected to contribute to early corporate investment, job creation, and revitalization of the local economy.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “I am grateful that the amendment to the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex plan was fast-tracked by the government and related organizations to ensure that large-scale investments such as secondary battery companies and data centers proceed on schedule.” He added, “We will actively support the smooth early investment of secondary battery companies and develop Pohang into a global leading city for secondary batteries.”