Governor Kim Yungrok Promotes Suncheon as a Global Animation Specialized City

Visiting the K-Disney Project Site
Focusing on Building a Global Cultural Industry

Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, visited the construction site of the Suncheon "K-Disney" Animation Cluster, a core project of the province, on the 29th. There, he met with representatives from anchor companies and other cultural content firms to discuss strategies for fostering a global city specialized in animation.

Jeollanam-do is working to transform Suncheon, already established as a world-renowned garden city, into a global cultural industry hub called "K-Disney." By integrating cultural content, the province aims to develop Suncheon into a world-class animation city similar to Disneyland, which attracts 12 million visitors annually.

The total project budget is 1.0011 trillion won, with 508.4 billion won from national and local government funds, 405.2 billion won from private investment, and 87.5 billion won from funds. By combining regional tourism with the cultural content industry, the province intends to turn Jeollanam-do into a global center for K-content.

The "Animation Cluster" project is the first key initiative for the advancement of K-Disney. With a total budget of 39 billion won, including 19.5 billion won in national funds, the project aims to establish animation production studios, exhibition and experience spaces, webtoon creation bases, and a content theme town in the areas surrounding Suncheon National Garden and the old downtown by the end of this year.

On this day, Governor Kim visited the animation cluster site, where he met and encouraged representatives of cultural content companies, including Lee Woojae, CEO of Kenaz, which relocated from the Seoul metropolitan area in March. He also reviewed the progress of the animation cluster project.

Last year, Jeollanam-do signed investment agreements worth a total of 307.5 billion won with three anchor companies, including Locus (animation) and Kenaz (webtoon), both major firms from the Seoul metropolitan area. Starting with the relocation of Kenaz and Ono Korea in March, around 40 companies are expected to move in by the end of the year, creating about 500 jobs.

CEO Lee Woojae said, "For cultural content companies to grow in the region, talent development and content production are most essential. I hope the province and local governments will pay close attention to these needs."

Governor Kim stated, "By establishing K-Disney, we will lay the foundation for companies and young people to settle stably in the region and foster Suncheon into a global animation city with world-class competitiveness. This will enhance Jeollanam-do’s brand value as an eco-capital and secure new industrial momentum for the province. We will actively seek ways to support companies that have relocated from the metropolitan area so they can thrive locally, such as regional revitalization funds, content production support, and housing assistance."