Final Report Meeting on the Mid- to Long-Term Master Plan for Fostering the Mobility Industry, Uniting Digital and AI Capabilities
Pohang Presents a Vision for the Future: A City Integrating Advanced Aviation Mobility Technology Demonstration and Tourism
From the City of Steel to the City of the Sky!
Pohang City in North Gyeongsang Province has declared a major transformation into a future mobility city, opening up aerial routes beyond land.
On November 27, Pohang City held the final report meeting for the "Pohang City Mobility Industry Development Mid- to Long-Term Master Plan Establishment Project" in the city hall's main conference room, presenting strategies to foster the future aviation and drone-based mobility industry as a key new growth engine for the region.
Pohang City held the final report meeting for the "Pohang City Mobility Industry Development Mid- to Long-Term Master Plan Establishment Project" on the 27th in the city hall's main conference room. Provided by Pohang City
This project was conducted over six months with the aim of proactively responding to the rapidly changing mobility industry environment amid accelerating eco-friendly and digital transitions, and to advance Pohang’s industrial structure in a future-oriented manner by leveraging the city’s industrial strengths.
The meeting was attended by Kim Jeongpyo, Director of the Job and Economy Bureau of Pohang City, Song Wanheup, Professor at POSTECH, Na Wonsang, Professor at Handong Global University, Park Sooyoung, Director of the Gyeongbuk Digital Innovation Headquarters, and officials from relevant city departments. They shared the outcomes of the project and engaged in in-depth discussions on future directions.
Through this project, the city established its future mobility vision as a "future city where advanced aviation mobility technology demonstration and tourism are integrated." The master plan is based on three strategic pillars: building infrastructure and institutional foundations, advancing R&D, and expanding culture and industry. It outlines a phased approach to creating an industrial ecosystem based on drones and advanced air mobility (AAM).
In particular, the city has strengthened its execution capabilities by actively pursuing government projects such as designation as a drone special liberalization zone, the drone demonstration city project, and the creation of a drone park. It also emphasized the establishment of institutional foundations, including the operation of drone airspace, the establishment of a drone support center, and the enactment of relevant ordinances.
Additionally, leveraging Pohang’s strengths in steel, materials, and marine industries, the city proposed mid- to long-term tasks such as developing special-purpose drone technologies applicable to defense, marine, and disaster safety sectors; developing materials, parts, and equipment; AI-based autonomous control of drone swarms; and digital twin-based port automation systems. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance the city’s overall technological competitiveness.
Plans also include organizing citizen-oriented cultural events such as drone light shows and drone competitions to raise public awareness of drones, as well as hosting international mobility conferences and exhibitions in conjunction with POEX, which is scheduled to open in 2027.
The city plans to finalize the master plan by incorporating feedback from the final report meeting, and from 2026, sequentially implement follow-up strategies such as pursuing government projects, enacting ordinances, expanding demonstration infrastructure, and advancing industry-academia-research collaboration systems.
Kim Jeongpyo, Director of the Job and Economy Bureau, stated, "Pohang is optimally positioned to organically combine its existing core industries-steel, hydrogen, and batteries-with drone, AAM, and AI technologies. Based on this master plan, we will accelerate efforts to attract national projects, improve institutional frameworks, and expand demonstration infrastructure, aiming to become a leading city in the future mobility industry."
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