Minister Kim Jeong-Kag: "Region Means Growth"... Embarks on First Field Tour for Five Hubs, Three Special Zones Initiative

Continuous Visits from North Jeolla on January 22 to Jeju in February
Reviewing M.AX, Investment, Youth Settlement, and Innovation Organization Linkages

Kim Jeong-Kag, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is speaking at a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul on January 9, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Kim Jeong-Kag, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is set to embark on a field tour for the "Five Hubs, Three Special Zones Regional Growth" project, aimed at achieving balanced national growth beyond the current concentration in the capital area.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 20 that Minister Kim will begin his visits to five non-capital regions, starting with North Jeolla Province on January 22 and continuing through late February. During these visits, he plans to meet consecutively with local governments, businesses, young people, and innovation organizations that are key drivers of regional growth.

In line with the policy of providing greater support the farther a region is from the capital, the tour will begin with the "Three Special Zones," which face relatively more challenging conditions. Rather than making brief ceremonial visits, the Minister will stay in each region for an extended period, participating in events from breakfast meetings to evening gatherings in a close-engagement format.

The schedule by region includes: on January 22-23, forums in North Jeolla and the Southeast region focusing on local core industries such as industrial complexes, renewable energy, and automobiles; on February 4-6, discussions in Gangwon, Daegyeong, and the Central region centered on manufacturing AX-linked industries such as AI, bio, hydrogen, displays, and secondary batteries; on February 12-13, a visit to the Southwest region including on-site visits to semiconductor companies to address supply chain, investment, and workforce issues; and on February 20, a roundtable in Jeju with energy innovation companies and knowledge industry center tenants to review the local investment ecosystem and industrial base.

The key agenda items are revitalizing regional investment, strategies for transitioning manufacturing (M.AX-Manufacturing AX), and fostering an ecosystem for young people to settle in the regions. The Ministry stated its goal is to "establish a structure where the region itself becomes growth, and the region itself becomes industry."

Until now, directors and bureau chiefs from the Ministry have visited local governments to coordinate discussions on the Five Hubs, Three Special Zones growth engine in advance. Minister Kim plans to visit industrial complexes, manufacturing companies, research institutes, and technoparks to promote the transition to manufacturing M.AX and encourage increased investment by regional companies in key sectors such as semiconductors, automobiles, secondary batteries, and bio. He also aims to seek collaborative models among central government, local governments, and the private sector.

The tour will also include meetings with local youth, workers, and university students. The Ministry said it would listen to challenges related to local employment, living conditions, and job matching, and work with relevant ministries to address these issues. This approach is based on the view that the regional industrial ecosystem cannot function properly unless the outflow of young talent is curbed.

The Ministry announced that, through this initiative, it will shift the policy focus toward the field. Minister Kim stated, "I consider 2026 to be the inaugural year and the last opportunity for regional growth, and I will devote myself fully to this cause with exceptional determination."