Gangwon Ushers in Era of 10 Trillion Won in National Funding,
Invests 1.0079 Trillion Won in Advanced Industries
Semiconductors, Biohealth, Future Vehicles, and AI Drive Full-Scale Industrial Transformation
Secures 48 Advanced Industry Projects and 121.3 Billion Won in National Funding for 2026
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has ushered in a new era by securing over 10 trillion won in national funding for the first time in its history, and investments in advanced industries such as semiconductors, biohealth, future vehicles, and AI are now in full swing. Building on this foundation, the province plans to gradually implement key advanced industry infrastructure projects to drive industrial transformation.
Kwangyong Park, Director of the Industry Bureau of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is holding a press conference on the 9th. Provided by Gangwon Province
As of 2026, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has secured a total of 48 projects and 121.3 billion won in national funding across the fields of semiconductors, biohealth, future vehicles, AI, and climate tech. The total project budget amounts to 1.0079 trillion won, which is significant as it marks the full integration of Gangwon's future industrial strategy into the national budget framework.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the first year Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province secured 1.026 trillion won in national funding. It is seen as evidence that Gangwon, traditionally focused on legacy industries, is transforming into a hub for the implementation of national advanced industries.
Changes were also evident during the National Assembly’s budget review process. Through the collaboration of local lawmakers and relevant government officials, 10 new projects in advanced industries were included, and funding for 7 existing projects was increased. This demonstrates that policy trust at the government level translated into budget allocations. In particular, the AI sector benefited from strong support by local lawmakers Song Ki-heon and Park Jeongha.
In the semiconductor industry, the province secured 7 projects and 23.7 billion won in national funding as of 2026. Four core strategies-workforce development, test beds, site development, and investment attraction-are being pursued in line with the characteristics of each region to establish the "Gangwon K-Semiconductor Cluster." The goal is to make the semiconductor industry the core growth engine for the region’s future.
The biohealth sector has secured 19 projects and 39.2 billion won in national funding for 2026. National funding is being intensively invested in specialized areas such as the Chuncheon-Hongcheon bio-specialized complex, Wonju medical devices, and Gangneung natural bio, with the accumulated research and infrastructure serving as a springboard for Gangwon to become a central hub of the "K-Bio Cluster."
The future vehicle industry has secured 7 projects and 13.6 billion won in national funding. The infrastructure development projects for future vehicles, centered on Wonju and Hoengseong, aim to establish a full-cycle support system from research and development to testing, evaluation, and commercialization. The province is accelerating efforts to foster and advance Gangwon’s specialized future vehicle sectors.
The AI sector has secured a total of 11 projects, including 5 new ones, with 30.2 billion won in national funding. AI demonstration projects focusing on the medical and manufacturing sectors are expanding, and the province plans to further integrate AI into Gangwon’s specialized industries to enhance overall industrial competitiveness and lead the realization of the "AX Future Industry Global City."
In the climate tech sector, 4 projects have been allocated 14.6 billion won in national funding. The focus will be on establishing a three-stage energy storage system (ESS) testing and certification infrastructure, with intensive investment planned to foster the future energy industry in line with the government’s energy transition policy.
The province views these advanced industry investments not as one-off budget allocations, but as structural investments aimed at transforming Gangwon into a "Future Industry Global City." The core objective is to create a new ladder for growth by shifting the province’s industrial structure from tourism and agriculture, which have traditionally been its mainstays, to advanced industries.
Kwangyong Park, Director of the Industry Bureau of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "Advanced industries are no longer just plans or futuristic slogans-they are now being realized through actual budgets and projects. Going forward, we will continue to focus on advanced industries to make Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province the new center of Korea’s future industries."
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