Improving Settlement Conditions for Young People and Workers in Wanju Industrial Complex
Design Living Lab Identifies Region-Specific Tasks
KICOX Supports On-Site Workers at Gunsan Industrial Complex
The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation is implementing a variety of support projects to transform industrial complexes into spaces where young people and workers can stay and where the local community can come together.
On August 8, the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation announced that it held the "2025 Wanju Cultural Leading Industrial Complex Youth Design Living Lab Launch Ceremony" in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province. This launch event marked the beginning of the Youth Design Living Lab, which is being promoted as part of the Cultural Leading Industrial Complex initiative. The event was attended by Lee Sanghoon, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation; Yoo Heetae, Governor of Wanju County; Yoon Sangheum, President of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion; representatives of the Living Lab; and about 30 other participants.
2025 Culture Leading Industrial Complex Wanju Youth Design Living Lab Launch Ceremony. Korea Industrial Complex Corporation
The Youth Design Living Lab brings together young workers from industrial complexes, local residents, local governments, and related organizations to identify improvement tasks related to industrial complexes from the perspective of end users. It also aims to develop specialized programs to solve these issues, with the goal of improving working and living conditions in industrial complexes and establishing a sustainable industrial ecosystem. Activities are scheduled to take place over four years, from this year until 2029. The initiative will be linked with infrastructure projects such as the creation of landmarks, a youth culture center, and beautiful streets, which are also being promoted as part of the Cultural Leading Industrial Complex project. In addition, efforts will be made to reflect and differentiate the unique characteristics of the Wanju area through cultural branding of the industrial complex and other related strategies.
The Wanju General Industrial Complex, which was selected as a Cultural Leading Industrial Complex in March, plans to supplement its cultural infrastructure by creating a complex cultural space where visitors can experience the automotive and hydrogen industries within the industrial complex, as well as remodeling a closed school near the complex to serve as a local cultural communication hub.
Support for the Industrial Complex Happiness Truck at Gunsan National Industrial Complex. Korea Industrial Complex Corporation
Meanwhile, on the same day, the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation visited the Gunsan National Industrial Complex with the "Industrial Complex Happiness Truck" to support workers enduring the summer heat. Chairman Lee Sanghoon visited Paper Korea, a resident company, to hear firsthand about the challenges faced on the industrial site and provided workers with cold beverages and heatwave safety kits. He also visited the construction site for the remodeling of idle and closed factories at the Gunsan National Industrial Complex, which is being promoted as part of the Industrial Complex Environment Creation Project. There, he checked on the status of safety management and delivered snacks and heatwave safety kits to on-site workers, emphasizing that safety must always be the top priority.
Chairman Lee stated, "The Youth Design Living Lab and the Industrial Complex Happiness Truck are efforts to transform industrial complexes into spaces where people can stay, enjoy, and grow. Going forward, we will continue to contribute to building a sustainable industrial ecosystem and revitalizing local communities by implementing policies and support that reflect on-site needs within industrial complexes."
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