Governor Kim Youngrok Accelerates Jeollanam-do’s Push to Become “Energy Capital”

Visit to Naju Energy National Industrial Complex
Early Development Proposal to Representative Park Chandae
Request to Designate Naju as Site for Artificial Sun Research Facility

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is requesting suggestions and cooperation from Park Chandae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who visited the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex site on the 6th, to resolve current issues in Jeollanam-do. Provided by Jeollanam-do

On July 6, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok requested that Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chandae, who visited the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex, designate the artificial sun research facility in Naju through a policy decision without an open bidding process. This move is accelerating the province’s efforts to become an “energy capital.”

With the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex recently approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Jeollanam-do has established a strategy to develop it as a core hub of the national energy industry.

On this occasion, Governor Kim and Representative Park held in-depth discussions on ways to make Naju the core axis of the domestic energy industry and a globally competitive energy hub, by linking the Naju energy industry ecosystem?centered around Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Energy Engineering University?with the development of the Naju National Industrial Complex.

During the meeting, Governor Kim requested Representative Park to support: ▲ the early development of the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex; ▲ the policy designation of the artificial sun research facility in Naju without an open bidding process; and ▲ the establishment of the Gwangyang-Suncheon Future Advanced Materials National Industrial Complex (1.2 million pyeong).

Governor Kim said, “Given the strong demand from energy companies, please help shorten the construction period to enable early land sales for the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex.”

Regarding the artificial sun research facility, he introduced Naju as “the optimal location, equipped with world-class energy infrastructure, core technologies, and strong community acceptance.” He highlighted as Naju’s strengths: ▲ the concentration of more than 300 power equipment companies centered around Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Energy Engineering University; ▲ the possession of key fusion technologies such as superconducting conductor testing facilities; and ▲ the achievement of community acceptance through resident briefings.

Governor Kim strongly urged, “As the United States and China are launching trillion-won investments to dominate artificial sun technology, the government should designate Naju through a policy decision without a separate site competition. Nuclear fusion is a core technology for carbon neutrality and energy security, and in terms of balanced national development and closing the science and technology gap, it is essential to designate Naju as a policy site.”

He also pointed out, “With an industrial complex occupancy rate of 98 percent, Jeollanam-do’s industrial parks are saturated. To respond to demand for advanced materials, hydrogen, and secondary batteries, a future advanced materials national industrial complex of 1.2 million pyeong is needed in the Gwangyang Bay area.”

Governor Kim further stated, “If the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex and the artificial sun research facility are established, Jeollanam-do will emerge as a world-class energy hub,” and called for full support from the government and the National Assembly.

In response, Representative Park said, “I believe Jeollanam-do’s efforts for energy industry development and job creation to overcome the crisis of regional extinction will bear fruit.”

He added, “The new government has signed the plan to establish the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex to overcome the crisis of regional extinction and promote balanced regional development. In line with this policy direction, I visited the site, and I will proactively and positively review Jeollanam-do’s proposals.”