Building an Animation and Webtoon Cluster
Transforming the Area into a Space for Young People
Suncheon City held the "Old Downtown Animation and Webtoon Cluster Resident Companies Win-Win Agreement Ceremony" at Nammun Square on the 7th. Photo by Suncheon City
Suncheon City in South Jeolla Province (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced on the 8th that it held the "Old Downtown Animation and Webtoon Cluster Resident Companies Win-Win Agreement Ceremony" at Nammun Square on the 7th.
The relocation of content companies from the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions is seen as a positive outcome of the city's efforts to establish the cultural content industry as a new growth engine after the Garden Expo and to build an industrial ecosystem that attracts content companies. Animation and webtoon companies and creators have either decided to relocate to Suncheon or are planning to do so, recognizing the city's potential.
About 20 people, including representatives from Suncheon City, building landlords, and resident companies, attended the agreement ceremony. They agreed to establish a tripartite cooperation system for the successful promotion of the animation and webtoon cluster project and for revitalizing the old downtown commercial district.
The agreement includes several key points: active administrative and financial support from the local government to ensure the successful settlement of resident companies; proactive efforts by resident companies to revitalize the local economy, including hiring local talent; and active cooperation from building landlords, such as offering rent at half price, to help stabilize the management of resident companies. Citizens also expect that not only short-term support from Suncheon City but also long-term virtuous cycle policies will be needed so that resident companies can achieve sustainable growth.
With this agreement as a starting point, the construction of the old downtown cluster will begin in earnest. It is expected that content companies moving in will create new jobs in the region and revitalize the local economy, making the old downtown a new model of urban regeneration that brings renewed vitality to the area.
Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu stated, "The old downtown is the heart of Suncheon's history and culture. The establishment of this cluster will serve as an urban acupuncture strategy to revive the declining old downtown and turn it into a vibrant space once again." He added, "We will spare no effort to support the relocated companies so they can generate revenue locally, provide job opportunities for students, and help restore vitality to the old downtown commercial district, thereby establishing a virtuous cycle ecosystem."
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