Gangjin County Transforms Former Seonghwa University into Youth Entrepreneurship and Fourth Industrial Hub

Realizing the Vision of a Millennium Culture Platform with a 33 Billion KRW Investment
Design Competition Winner Announced... Completion Targeted for End of Next Year

Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Kang Jinwon) recently announced the winning design for the "Millennium Culture Gangjin, Youth Glocal Platform" development project.

According to the county on May 19, the "Millennium Culture Gangjin, Youth Glocal Platform" project is a large-scale initiative with a total budget of 33 billion KRW (20 billion KRW from the national government and 13 billion KRW from the county). The project aims to transform the unused facilities of the former Seonghwa University (total floor area: 9,723.95 square meters) into a hub for youth entrepreneurship and the convergence of fourth industrial technologies.

Yes Seonghwa University located in Seongjeon-myeon, Gangjin. Provided by Gangjin County

The platform will be developed as a multifunctional space, equipped not only with a testbed for experimenting with and developing fourth industrial technologies such as drones and ICT, but also with business incubators, office spaces for resident companies, and living infrastructure such as accommodations for resident entrepreneurs and workation users.

In addition, the project plans to create complex cultural spaces, including an immersive media experience center, going beyond simple remodeling to rebirth as a future-oriented youth platform that embodies Gangjin's history and identity.

This project was selected in July 2023 as part of the Jeollanam-do Balanced Development 300 Project. It passed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's central investment review at the end of 2024, completed major administrative procedures such as the approval of the basic and implementation plans by Jeollanam-do earlier this year, and has now moved on to the full-scale design competition phase.

A total of five firms, including architectural offices based in Seoul, participated in the design competition. After evaluation by a judging panel composed of university professors and architectural experts, the design by ISP Architects Co., Ltd. was selected as the winning entry.

Governor Kang Jinwon stated, "Based on a creative and innovative design, we will create the optimal environment where youth and businesses can grow together," adding, "I hope this platform development project will become a leading model that drives regional economic revitalization and population inflow as a future growth engine for Gangjin."

Notably, the project is being pursued with the goal of completion by the end of next year, and full-scale operation is scheduled to begin in 2027. The platform will serve as a base for creating youth jobs in Gangjin, improving residential conditions, and furthering the convergence and innovation of local specialized industries.

Through this, Gangjin is expected to emerge as a city where young people stay and take on new challenges, as well as a center for future industries based on the fourth industrial revolution. In the long term, it is anticipated to lay the foundation for sustainable regional development.