'Export Increased 7000 Times' 60th Anniversary of Industrial Complex Launch

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 12th that it held the 'Industrial Complex Day Ceremony' to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the launch of industrial complexes at the G-Tower Convention Center in Guro, Seoul, attended by Minister An Deok-geun, Lee Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, and about 500 industrial complex entrepreneurs and workers nationwide.

The history of South Korea's industrial complexes began on September 14, 1964, when the Export Industrial Complex Development Act was enacted and the first industrial complex, Guro Export Industrial Complex, was established. Industrial Complex Day is a legal commemorative day celebrating September 14, the date the Export Industrial Complex Development Act was enacted. This year marks its 60th anniversary.

Currently, over 1,300 industrial complexes nationwide serve as the living grounds for approximately 120,000 companies and more than 2 million workers. They account for 60.6% of the total domestic manufacturing output, 65.1% of exports, and 47.9% of employment.

Over the past 60 years, industrial complexes have supported industrial promotion policies of each era, from light industry in the 1960s, heavy and chemical industries in the 1970s and 1980s, to advanced and knowledge-based industries in the 1990s, leading South Korea's economic growth. The export volume, which was only 100 million dollars in 1964 when the Guro Export Industrial Complex was born, is expected to reach 700 billion dollars this year, a 7,000-fold increase.

At the event, Minister An Deok-geun met with representatives of resident companies and female workers who worked at the Guro Industrial Complex in the 1980s to express his gratitude and also listened to the voices of young workers for the development of industrial complexes.

On the same day, awards were presented to 175 meritorious individuals, including representatives of resident companies who contributed to the nation and regional economy. The highest honor, the Bronze Tower Industrial Medal, was awarded to Cho Gwang-cheol, CEO of KOBICO, and the Industrial Medal was awarded to Shim Seong-won, CEO of Jaewon Industry.