Advancing as the Capital of National Defense
Through Attracting Defense Institutions, Creating Advanced Industrial Complexes, and Globalizing Military Culture
Gyeryong City in South Chungcheong Province has launched an initiative to establish a defense-specialized cluster by integrating the concentration of national defense institutions, the creation of an advanced industrial complex, and the globalization of military culture, aiming to become the "Hub of South Korea's Defense Industry."
According to the city on September 22, it is rapidly advancing four major strategies and sixteen detailed tasks: ▲ establishing a foundation for a smart defense industry, ▲ attracting public defense institutions, ▲ creating a military culture convergence tourism belt, and ▲ expanding the metropolitan transportation network.
In line with the government's second phase of relocating public institutions to regional areas, the city has set core goals of attracting the relocation of the Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute and the main office of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, as well as bringing in the Central Center of the Defense Transition Education Institute and the National Medical Officer School.
To this end, the city is carrying out preliminary preparations, such as securing public office sites in the Hadaesil 2 District.
The city is also working to strengthen the research and development ecosystem. By 2031, a specialized industrial complex for advanced defense technology will be established in the Duma-myeon area, and within the second industrial complex, a public rental knowledge industry center and an intelligent sensor support center will be created to serve as a hub where corporate activities and research are organically connected.
Tourism and exhibition strategies for the globalization of military culture will be pursued in parallel.
The city plans to become a global military culture city through the construction of the National Military Future Museum, hosting the 2028 Gyeryong World Military Culture Expo, holding international defense industry exhibitions (KADEX and K-GDEX), and building the K-Defense Convention Center.
Efforts to expand the transportation network will also be made, including the restoration of the former Sindong Station, the creation of a transfer center at Gyeryong Station, the expansion of National Route 1, and the connection of the Gyeryong Junction to the Seoul-Sejong Expressway.
Mayor Lee Eungwoo stated, "Gyeryong City will leverage its strength as the center of national defense, with the headquarters of all three military branches located here, to complete a defense cluster encompassing the attraction of defense institutions, research and development, globalization of military culture, and expansion of the transportation network. We will grow into the capital of national defense, contributing to regional economic revitalization and the strengthening of national security."
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