Haeoreum Alliance Win-Win Council to Hold 2nd Half Regular Meeting in Pohang on 27th
Joint Declaration for Win-Win Cooperation... Joint Response to Crisis, Increased Industrial and Economic Exchange
Launch of Metropolitan Promotion Team and Rapid Enactment of Special Law Gather Support for Win-Win Development
The ‘Haeoreum Alliance,’ a council consisting of Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju, has launched a joint response to overcome the risk of regional extinction and strengthen competitiveness among the three cities.
On the 27th, Pohang City held the 2024 second half regular meeting of the Haeoreum Alliance Win-Win Council at Lahan Hotel, attended by Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan, Joo Nak-young, Mayor of Gyeongju, along with deputy mayors, heads of departments, and about 40 officials from the three cities.
Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju form a practical economic alliance beyond regional boundaries to create an 'industrial metropolitan area.' Photo by Pohang City
At the forum, the ‘Haeoreum Alliance Win-Win Cooperation Joint Declaration’ was announced, including ▲the launch of the Haeoreum Alliance Metropolitan Promotion Team ▲the prompt enactment of the Special Act on Support for the Haeoreum Industrial Belt ▲cooperation and support for international events ▲response to crises in economy and industry ▲and joint cooperation in fostering future new industries and establishing an industrial metropolitan area.
In particular, the three cities agreed to jointly nurture future new industries such as secondary batteries, bio, and hydrogen industries, and to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in industrial and economic sectors to develop the Haeoreum Alliance cities into an ‘industrial metropolitan area.’
Additionally, the council discussed the agenda on the launch of the ‘Haeoreum Alliance Metropolitan Promotion Team’ and the legislative push for the ‘Special Act on Support for the Haeoreum Industrial Belt.’
Scheduled for official launch in January next year, the ‘Haeoreum Alliance Metropolitan Promotion Team’ will have its office at the Gyeongju Smart Media Center, staffed with nine employees?three dispatched from each of Ulsan, Pohang, and Gyeongju?led by a grade 4 director, operating as a core organization for win-win cooperation among the three cities.
The three cities agreed to jointly focus on the prompt legislative promotion of the ‘Special Act on Support for the Haeoreum Industrial Belt’ to strengthen the industrial ecosystem and enhance urban competitiveness.
This bill, aimed at overcoming regional extinction and industrial crises caused by the intensification of the metropolitan area’s unipolar system, includes institutionalization of tailored special measures such as the establishment of a metropolitan transportation network and fostering of advanced industries.
Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, stated, “Administrative integration of cities and counties, which takes a long time for public opinion collection and related law enactment, is not the only solution. Building an economic belt among neighboring regions that can respond immediately through joint action could be an alternative to overcoming regional extinction. We will cooperate to ensure that the establishment of a super-regional economic industrial zone utilizing innovative resources based in the Haeoreum area produces tangible results.”
The Haeoreum Alliance is a council launched in 2016 by Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju with the goal of joint development, contributing to win-win growth through ongoing economic, cultural, and social exchanges.
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