Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Hyunjae) announced on the 20th that its 'K-Culture Complex (K-Star World)' was selected as one of South Korea's representative regional investment promising projects (first selection, 50 projects) at the '2025 Innovation Growth Forum' hosted by Maeil Business TV and held at Lotte Hotel Seoul.
Hanam City was selected as one of the top 50 promising regional investment projects in South Korea (first round selection) for its 'K-Culture Complex (K-Star World)' at the '2025 Innovation Growth Forum' hosted by Maeil Business TV held at Lotte Hotel Seoul on the 20th. Provided by Hanam City
This forum was jointly organized by Maeil Business TV and the Korea Institute of Public Autonomy, and comprehensively evaluated the necessity and efficiency of various projects to select the 'Top 100 Regional Investment Promising Projects in Korea.' The event served as a platform to introduce key investment projects that will lead both the nation and local regions to domestic and international investors.
The event was attended by Chang Dae-hwan, Chairman of Maeil Business Media Group; Kim Choonghwan, Chairman of the Korea Institute of Public Autonomy; Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City (President of the Association of Governors of Korea); and National Assemblyman Park Soohyun. A certificate presentation ceremony was held for the 50 projects selected in the first round.
The K-Culture Complex (K-Star World) being promoted by Hanam City is a strategic project aimed at establishing a new hub for the cultural industry in the Seoul metropolitan area, leveraging the global popularity of K-Culture. The plan is to create a comprehensive K-content cluster that brings together creative, production, performance, and experiential functions, including a dedicated K-pop arena with a capacity of 20,000 to 30,000 seats, a world-class video studio, and an academy.
Hanam City has continuously worked to resolve regulatory issues to advance the project. In July 2023, the city led the revision of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's guidelines, making it possible to lift development restrictions within greenbelt zones if water pollution prevention measures are established. In November of the same year, at an emergency economic ministers' meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, a support plan was announced to drastically shorten the administrative process for large-scale foreign investment projects from 42 months to 21 months.
Additionally, in April 2025, a research study conducted by an agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism evaluated Hanam City as the optimal location for a K-Culture cluster. The city's water pollution source management plan was also submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport after consultation with the Ministry of Environment, with feedback received in June, ensuring that all preliminary procedures are progressing smoothly.
These achievements indicate that the K-Culture Complex (K-Star World) received high marks for its economic feasibility through integrated development, global competitiveness, and thorough preparation. Its selection as a regional investment promising project has now officially recognized its value.
Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam City, who attended the forum and received the certificate, stated, "It was a meaningful occasion to confirm that the K-Culture Complex (K-Star World), which we have swiftly promoted over the past three years, has been recognized not only for Hanam City's diligent completion of preliminary procedures but also for the project's feasibility and investment value by leading media and research institutions."
He added, "We will continue to carry out this nationally recognized project quickly and without setbacks, making it a flagship development that leads Korea's cultural industry."
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