Jinju City Participates in National Assembly Forum on "Revitalization of Innovation City and Establishment of Regional Growth Hub"

Emphasizing the Principle of Centering the Second Phase of Public Institution Relocations on Existing Innovation Cities

Jinju City, South Gyeongsang Province, announced on December 11 that it participated in the National Assembly Forum on "Revitalization of Innovation City and Establishment of Regional Growth Hub," held at the small auditorium of the National Assembly Library, where it emphasized the principle that the second phase of public institution relocations should be centered on existing innovation cities.

The event was organized by the National Innovation City (District) Council and attended by officials from 11 member cities, members of the National Assembly, and representatives from the National Innovation City Labor Union Council.

During the forum, participants reaffirmed the necessity of a second phase of public institution relocations for the completion of innovation cities and balanced national development, and discussed the roles and challenges facing the government, public institutions, and local governments.

Group photo of Jinju City participants at the National Assembly Forum on "Revitalization of Innovation Cities and Establishment of Regional Growth Hubs."

Although innovation cities have achieved certain results since the first phase of public institution relocations-such as improvements in residential conditions and the expansion of transportation and industrial infrastructure-they have not fully met initial expectations in areas like expanding local talent recruitment and attracting related companies. As a result, there is still a need to further invigorate these cities.

To address these limitations, it is considered desirable to focus the second phase of relocations on existing innovation cities, which already have established infrastructure, rather than developing new locations. This approach is seen as a practical alternative that can prevent redundant investments, enhance policy continuity and efficiency, and effectively supplement the shortcomings of the first phase.

Additionally, concerns have been raised that dispersing the second phase of public institution relocations to areas outside innovation cities could make it more difficult to create favorable living conditions for employees and to implement support policies. Such dispersion could also undermine the consistency of relocation plans, leading to confusion and concerns within the institutions. For these reasons, there is growing support for centering the relocations on existing innovation cities.

Meanwhile, since 2017, Jinju City has continuously worked both independently and in cooperation with the National Innovation City (District) Council to attract the second phase of public institution relocations from the Seoul metropolitan area. The city has persistently submitted proposals to Gyeongsangnam-do, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and local members of the National Assembly. In 2023, Jinju also presented related proposals during meetings with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Chairperson of the Committee for the Local Era.

In 2024, Jinju held briefings on revitalizing the aerospace industry and the second phase of public institution relocations, and completed the designation of the Munsan public housing district, thereby securing necessary land for the relocations. Furthermore, in November 2025, Jinju plans to proactively respond to the second phase of public institution relocations and strengthen the foundation for "Innovation City Season 2" by launching a "Second Phase Public Institution Relocation Response Task Force (TF)," accelerating its preparations.

A Jinju City official stated, "Now that discussions on the second phase of public institution relocations are gaining momentum, we are at a critical turning point that will determine the country's future. We hope that, following this National Assembly Forum, the government's second phase relocation policy will be implemented swiftly." The official added, "Jinju City will continue to do its utmost to prepare for the second phase of relocations, positioning the existing innovation city as a key growth hub for balanced regional development."