Glocal University 30 Agreement Signed... Venture Town Created Utilizing Campus
Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jin-won) announced on the 11th that it held a ceremony to sign a business agreement with the National Mokpo University (President Song Ha-cheol) to revitalize the former Seonghwa University and collaborate on the Glocal University 30 project.
Through this business agreement, Gangjin-gun and National Mokpo University promised to cooperate on △ establishing a Green Marine Startup Hub utilizing Mokpo University Namak Campus and the former Seonghwa University campus △ building infrastructure that integrates youth entrepreneurship and settlement △ operating Glocal University programs for startup incubating.
President Song Ha-cheol of Mokpo University stated, “We aim to leap forward as a ‘Global Marine Specialized University’ centered on green marine energy, using the Glocal University 30 project as a stepping stone,” and added, “We plan to create an innovative startup cluster as a green marine industry hub by utilizing the former Seonghwa University campus in Gangjin.”
(On the left) County Governor Kang Jin-won and Song Ha-cheol, President of National Mokpo University, are signing a business agreement to revitalize the old Seonghwa University and taking a commemorative photo. [Photo by Gangjin County]
Governor Kang Jin-won also emphasized, “We will strengthen the linkage between Mokpo University’s Glocal University 30 project and the former Seonghwa University, transforming it into a center promoting new growth industries based on the 4th Industrial Revolution as part of the ‘Millennium Culture Gangjin, Youth Glocal Platform Project,’” and added, “Through this, we will create a Gangjin that attracts young people back.”
The former Seonghwa University located in Seongjeon-myeon, Gangjin-gun, started with 320 students when it opened in 1997, increased to 1,236 students by 2007, but was closed in 2012 and has since been abandoned. The population of Seongjeon-myeon, where Seonghwa University is located, was about 4,500 at the time of the university’s opening but has decreased by approximately 40% to 2,784 currently.
In response, Gangjin-gun is promoting the ‘Millennium Culture Gangjin, Youth Glocal Platform Project’ to innovate the space through the renewal of the long-abandoned closed university, establish a 4th Industrial Revolution convergence platform, and revitalize the region by increasing the resident population.
This is the first case nationwide among 22 closed universities to establish a basic plan and implementation plan to utilize idle facilities and land within university facilities.
To ensure the successful operation of this project, Gangjin-gun is focusing all efforts on attracting companies in AI mobility, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), IT/SW development, and healthcare companies based on immersive content, which are industries based on the 4th Industrial Revolution, and is currently negotiating agreements with anchor companies to build and operate a digital innovation experience center.
Once tenant companies move in, specialized education and startup programs will also be provided for youth and job seekers interested in the 4th Industrial Revolution, aiming to foster talent.
With the opening of the Gangjin-Gwangju expressway scheduled for 2026, the success of the former Seonghwa University revitalization project is expected, and continuous coordination with anchor companies, tenant companies, and private investors will be pursued to this end.
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