President Lee Visits Ulsan: "Strong Resistance from Vested Interests to 'Five Major Regions and Three Special Autonomous Provinces' Reorganization... Public Support Is Crucial"

President Lee Holds Ulsan Town Hall Meeting
"We Must Move Beyond the All-In Strategy"
"AI and Manufacturing Should Lead the Way"

"We are trying to carry out a major reorganization into the 'Five Major Regions and Three Special Autonomous Provinces' system, but there is inertia and vested interests, so the resistance is very strong. Public empathy, support, and assistance are truly important."

Yonhap News Agency

On January 23, President Lee Jaemyung reiterated his commitment to transitioning from the current Seoul metropolitan area-centered system to a multi-polar regional structure, known as the 'Five Major Regions and Three Special Autonomous Provinces' initiative, during the 'Listening to the Heart of Ulsan' forum held at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center. The 'Five Major Regions and Three Special Autonomous Provinces' strategy is a national balanced development plan to move away from the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area by reorganizing the country into five major super-regions (Seoul Metropolitan Area, Southeast Region, Daegyeong Region, Central Region, and Honam Region) and three special autonomous provinces (Gangwon, Jeonbuk, and Jeju). The event, themed 'Opening the Silk Road of Future Industries in Ulsan,' was attended by about 300 local residents.

President Lee explained, "In the past, because we had so little, we concentrated everything in one place." He noted that the so-called 'all-in strategy'-focusing investments in Seoul and concentrating industrial complexes in Ulsan-was quite effective at the time, but now it has begun to cause problems. He emphasized the need to shift policy direction toward balanced regional development to address these issues.

He also pointed to the limitations of housing and infrastructure in the Seoul metropolitan area, stating, "Balanced regional development is no longer a matter of concession or consideration, but has become a national survival strategy. Even the Seoul metropolitan area can no longer sustain itself. Housing prices are a problem, and even if we try to build semiconductor factories, there are complex issues such as shortages of electricity and water." He reiterated that shifting the policy direction toward balanced regional development is necessary to resolve these problems.

President Lee identified the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and manufacturing as a key agenda. He said, "The transition to artificial intelligence is inevitable. If we cannot avoid it, we must adapt quickly and even take the lead. Since manufacturing is our strength, let's apply AI to manufacturing as soon as possible and take the lead in this field. Ulsan has a significant advantage in this area."

He also addressed industrial safety issues, referencing the collapse of the boiler tower at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant. President Lee stated, "It's important that everyone eats well, but it's also important that no one dies. Even as we pursue industrial and economic growth, I hope we can become a society that grows together safely."