On September 25, North Gyeongsang Province held a plaque unveiling ceremony at the Hwanggeum Apple Research Complex in Cheongsong to mark the official launch of the 'AI Reverse-Aging Research Institute,' which will study reverse aging using local agricultural products.
This launch is a key first step in the K-U City Project, aiming to develop Cheongsong County into a hub for reverse-aging research.
The event was attended by Lee Sangsu, Director of the Local Era Policy Bureau of North Gyeongsang Province, Yoon Kyunghee, Mayor of Cheongsong County, Sung Hankee, President of Daegu Catholic University, as well as provincial council members, county council members, local organizations, and business representatives-over 100 participants in total. Attendees received a briefing on the institute's vision and toured its research outcomes and facilities.
During the plaque unveiling, the first research achievements using Cheongsong apples were introduced. These included apple chips and juice enhanced with anti-aging ingredients, as well as two types of cosmetics containing apple-derived components, demonstrating the potential for local agricultural products to be developed into functional materials and high value-added products.
The AI Reverse-Aging Research Institute is currently operating temporarily at the Hwanggeum Apple Research Complex in Cheongsong. Utilizing more than 70 advanced research devices, including a fluorescence microscope, LC-MS/MS, and AI servers, the institute is establishing itself as a new platform connecting agriculture and industry through precise analysis of local agricultural product components, development of new materials from by-products, and AI-based bioinformatics research.
The institute is pursuing a new construction and expansion project, aiming for completion by 2027 with an investment of 12 billion won, to create a complex research campus in Deok-ri, Cheongsong-eup, equipped with residential facilities for researchers and spaces for companies to move in.
Going forward, the AI Reverse-Aging Research Institute will focus on identifying anti-aging components in local agricultural products, developing new materials from apple peels and juice by-products, conducting comprehensive bioinformatics analysis using artificial intelligence, and establishing systems for product commercialization and quality control.
Through these efforts, the institute plans to transform Cheongsong’s agricultural products into world-class bio-materials and create a virtuous cycle that promotes business growth and youth employment.
To support this research, North Gyeongsang Province is promoting a feasibility study for the creation of a 'Reverse-Aging Research and Industrial Complex.' The study will consider establishing a reverse-aging research belt centered on Cheongsong and linked with neighboring cities and counties such as Yeongyang, Andong, Uiseong, Uljin, Yeongdeok, Bonghwa, and Ulleung. It will also explore expanding the research subjects to include regional specialty crops like omija, hawthorn, and wild vegetables.
Additionally, the province plans to strengthen collaboration with specialized research institutions such as the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, the Korea Brain Research Institute, and the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. The feasibility study will also include strategies for forming a large-scale reverse-aging cluster in connection with Gangwon’s anti-aging industrial complex.
International cooperation will also be accelerated. From November 24 to 25, the 'International Reverse-Aging Summit 2025' will be held in Cheongsong, with participation from leading global scholars, including those from the Max Planck Institute, National University of Singapore, and the University of Hong Kong Medical School. The summit is expected to establish Cheongsong as an international hub for reverse-aging research by sharing the latest research findings and industrialization strategies.
Yoon Kyunghee, Mayor of Cheongsong County, stated, "By combining Cheongsong’s pristine resources with research capabilities, we will deliver tangible outcomes for local residents and develop Cheongsong into a world-renowned hub for reverse-aging research."
Lee Sangsu, Director of the Local Era Policy Bureau of North Gyeongsang Province, commented, "The launch of the AI Reverse-Aging Research Institute marks a significant turning point in our efforts to make Cheongsong a center for reverse-aging research and industrialization. Through the feasibility study for the research and industrial complex, we will clarify the research direction and lead the way in developing Cheongsong into a large-scale research and industrial cluster, addressing population decline and laying the foundation for future industries."
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