Naju City Proposes Solutions for AI and Climate Crisis... Leading Future Energy Innovation

Attracting a 1.2 Trillion Won Artificial Sun Research Facility
Highlighting Naju's Hidden Potential as the Energy Capital
Kang Sanggu: "The Artificial Sun Research Facility Will Be a Key Regional Growth Driver"

On the 25th, the "2025 Gwangju-Jeonnam Night of Science and Technology Professionals" event was held at the Science and Technology Building of Gwangju Technopark. Photo by Naju City

Naju City in South Jeolla Province has declared its ambition to become a future energy innovation city, emphasizing the establishment of an "artificial sun (nuclear fusion) research facility" in Naju as a solution to the national challenges of soaring power demand in the AI era and the climate crisis.

According to Naju City on November 26, Deputy Mayor Kang Sanggu highlighted the need to build nuclear fusion research infrastructure worth 1.2 trillion won and focused on Naju's geographical and industrial advantages during the "2025 Gwangju-Jeonnam Night of Science and Technology Professionals" event. He presented Naju's vision as a "core hub city for securing South Korea's energy sovereignty."

At the "2025 Gwangju-Jeonnam Night of Science and Technology Professionals - AI Big Data, Climate, and Environmental Energy Innovation Forum" held at the Science and Technology Building of Gwangju Technopark on November 25, Deputy Mayor Kang delivered a keynote address outlining the justification and future strategy for attracting the artificial sun research facility.

In his presentation, Deputy Mayor Kang stressed, "In an era where the explosive power demand of AI data centers coincides with the climate crisis, safe and limitless nuclear fusion energy is the only solution," underscoring the need for national-level energy sovereignty.

He further explained, "Naju is the optimal location for the 'Core Technology Development and Advanced Infrastructure Construction Project for Nuclear Fusion,' which is being promoted with a budget of 1.2 trillion won."

He cited Naju's stable ground conditions, abundant energy infrastructure, and favorable environment for large-scale industry and R&D concentration, expressing confidence that "the nuclear fusion industry will become the key driver of future regional growth."

He also emphasized, "Attracting the artificial sun research facility is a large-scale cooperative project that will address regional R&D imbalances and reliably support the power demand of the Gwangju AI cluster," adding that "it will be the seed for the future prosperity of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province."

Deputy Mayor Kang particularly stated, "The field in which our country can become number one in the world going forward is nuclear fusion research," and pledged, "We will unite academia, industry, and government so that Naju can establish itself as the undisputed energy capital of South Korea."

Naju City announced plans to further strengthen its collaborative network with the scientific and industrial communities and to focus its administrative capabilities on attracting the artificial sun research facility, following this announcement.

The city also reaffirmed its commitment to developing Naju into a core hub for securing South Korea's energy sovereignty and an innovation hub leading future advanced technologies.