Linked with G-Valley, the Largest Cluster of Small and Medium-Sized Venture Firms
On July 17, Geumcheon District in Seoul (headed by Yuseong Hoon) announced that it has proposed the "G-PROJECT," which aims to establish an AI convergence cluster on the idle site of the Air Force base in Doksan-dong (approximately 125,000 square meters). The district also officially submitted this proposal, along with two other major growth strategies, to the National Policy Planning Committee of the People’s Sovereignty Government.
The district highlighted its strong connection to the Seoul Digital Industrial Complex (G-Valley), which is the largest cluster of small and medium-sized venture companies in Korea, as well as the fact that the project can be implemented without separate national funding. The site was selected last July as a leading project location for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Spatial Innovation Zone. As state-owned land designated as a "white zone" with no restrictions on use or density, the project can proceed solely through private sector cooperation.
Yuseong Hoon, head of Geumcheon District Office, is explaining while looking at the Air Force base plan. Provided by Geumcheon District Office.
Other factors cited as keys to success include G-Valley’s status as the nation’s largest cluster of small and medium-sized venture firms, its robust IT and knowledge industry infrastructure, and the high demand for AI technology validation among SMEs in various industrial sectors.
Yuseong Hoon, head of Geumcheon District Office, stated, “As the last remaining development area in Seoul and a district undergoing dynamic change, Geumcheon is a policy laboratory where the knowledge industry hub G-Valley, the Air Force base spatial innovation zone, and pioneering resident self-governance models coexist. With a mindset of being a proactive planner and execution partner for national policy, we have designed and proposed a practical model ourselves.”
The district also proposed comprehensive reforms for G-Valley, including institutional improvements and a complete overhaul of its spatial structure. Despite being Korea’s premier economic activity hub for advanced industries, G-Valley faces challenges such as industrial site regulations, traffic congestion, and a lack of residential environment.
The proposal includes: "negative regulation" for industrial site restrictions; granting local governments the authority to utilize development profits; long-awaited improvements to the transportation system around Seobuganseon-ro and the area near the Export Bridge; transforming the complex into a D.N.A. (Data·Network·AI) industry-friendly industrial park; developing the state-owned Guro Customs site to establish support facilities for SMEs such as an AI sandbox; and creating the G-Valley Garden Factory to convert the area into an eco-friendly industrial complex.
The district explained that it aims to present a model for transforming G-Valley into a sustainable and creative D.N.A. (Data·Network·AI) industry-based urban industrial complex, with the goal of evolving into a future-oriented industrial cluster where cities and technology, people and nature coexist.
Additionally, based on seven years of experience operating the Residents’ Self-Governance Council, the district proposed legislative measures to strengthen the autonomy and sustainability of these councils, introduce a digital residents’ assembly, institutionalize village self-governance based on living zones, grant legal entity status, and reinforce financial support systems.
Yuseong Hoon stated, “This proposal is a strategic plan based on the policy direction of the People’s Sovereignty Government to open the ‘real Republic of Korea,’ focusing on the three pillars of AI, industry, and self-governance. It aims to simultaneously strengthen national balanced development, regional future competitiveness, and residents’ empowerment. It also reflects our determination for local governments to share both responsibility and implementation as a key pillar of national administration.”
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