Hanyang University ERICA Innovation Park Incorporated into Ansan Science Valley

Growth Expected with Economic Free Zone Designation

Hanyang University ERICA announced on September 27 that the Economic Free Zone Committee of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has newly designated the Ansan Science Valley district, including the ERICA Campus Innovation Park site, as an economic free zone.

Hanyang University ERICA Campus Innovation Park. Hanyang University

With this decision, the only economic free zone in the country located in the metropolitan area with direct access to a railway station has been established.

This provides Hanyang University ERICA with a new opportunity to transform its long-developed industry-academia-research innovation cluster into a global advanced industry hub.

The Ansan Science Valley Economic Free Zone, designated in the Sadan area of Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, covers 1.66 square kilometers (approximately 500,000 pyeong) and will foster advanced robotics and manufacturing as its strategic industries.

This area, centered around Hanyang University ERICA, is a representative cluster in the metropolitan area where research institutes such as Gyeonggi Technopark, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Korea Testing Laboratory, and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, as well as innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, are concentrated.

The designation as an economic free zone is expected to generate an economic impact of approximately 2.2229 trillion won and create 11,848 jobs.

With various incentives such as location benefits, tax reductions, and streamlined administrative procedures, the zone is expected to attract promising companies and further activate the establishment of domestic research centers by global companies like the already-resident Entegris Korea Technology Center (KTC).

Additionally, the establishment of an international school will become possible, creating a complex growth engine that combines industry, education, and residential functions.

Hanyang University ERICA will participate as a major landowner in this development.

By utilizing both city-owned and university-owned land, rapid and cost-effective development can proceed without the need for land expropriation procedures.

The project implementers have been jointly confirmed as the city of Ansan and Hanyang University (Hanyang Foundation), ensuring a stable foundation for the university and the region to advance the project.

President Lee Gijeong stated, "This designation as an economic free zone is an important opportunity to connect Hanyang University ERICA's research and innovation capabilities with industry," adding, "We will take the lead in nurturing future talent and building a startup ecosystem by collaborating with companies and research institutes in advanced robotics, AI, and digital transformation industries."

Ansan City plans to begin feasibility studies and detailed design work next year. Hanyang University ERICA intends to immediately supply the already-developed Campus Innovation Park urban high-tech industrial complex site and global R&D site within the economic free zone to outstanding companies, further establishing its position as a global advanced industry base.