Hub for Nuclear Fusion and Power Industries... Highlighting the Power Ecosystem
Presenting the Vision of "Naju, the Energy Capital" and Attracting New Investments
Concurrent Promotional Marketing for the "2026 Visit Naju Year" Campaign
The project to establish an artificial sun research facility in Naju City has been finally selected as a preliminary feasibility study target project for the Ministry of Science and ICT-led "Fusion Core Technology Development and Strategic Infrastructure Construction Project." The photo shows the welcoming event for the artificial sun research facility held on December 16 last year. Provided by Naju City
Naju City in South Jeolla Province is leveraging its artificial sun (nuclear fusion) research infrastructure, considered a next-generation national strategic technology, to actively attract energy companies from the Seoul metropolitan area.
According to Naju City on January 31, the city will host the "2026 Metropolitan Area Investment Attraction Roadshow" for three days from February 4 to 6 at COEX in Seoul, focusing on promoting its competitiveness as an energy industry hub and its vision for future growth.
This roadshow is being held in conjunction with the "Korea Smart Grid Expo 2026" and is primarily aimed at encouraging energy companies in the metropolitan area to relocate to Naju or make new investments in the city.
In particular, Naju plans to highlight the artificial sun (nuclear fusion) research facility, which was secured last December, as its core content, emphasizing the city's transformation from a traditional power industry center to a next-generation energy technology hub.
At the opening ceremony on the morning of February 4, the first day of the event, Deputy Mayor Kang Sanggu of Naju will personally explain the "Naju, the Energy Capital of Korea: Phase 2 Vision," alongside the signing of the Naju Energy Valley investment attraction agreement.
During this event, Naju will unveil its plans to build a nuclear fusion research ecosystem centered on the artificial sun facility, as well as its future strategies encompassing the entire power and energy new industries sector.
Naju City expects the artificial sun research facility to generate significant clustering effects in related industries, including ultra-high temperature plasma control, advanced materials and components, and ultra-precision power and measurement technologies. According to the city, the integration of this facility with existing energy infrastructure-such as Korea Electric Power Corporation, the Korea Electric Power Research Institute, and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH)-will provide a foundation for creating a unique "industrial ecosystem" connecting nuclear fusion, power, and new energy industries.
On the afternoon of the same day, Naju City and Korea Electric Power Corporation will jointly host an Energy Valley investment briefing session, and a one-on-one investment attraction demo day (IR pitching) will be held with nine promising energy companies and professional investment institutions. Through these events, Naju City plans to support the commercialization of technology and fundraising for companies in the nuclear fusion, power equipment, smart grid, and distributed energy sectors.
On February 5 and 6, there will be special lectures by experts and renowned speakers on the topics of artificial sun and the future energy industry.
On February 5, Haengwoo Lee, CEO of BK Energy, will share successful overseas expansion cases, and Daewon Joo, a patent attorney, will give a lecture on intellectual property trends in the energy sector. In the afternoon, a special lecture by the historical storyteller Sun Kim will add vibrancy to the event. On February 6, Seungil Moon, Director of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), will deliver a special lecture on "The Era of Distributed Energy and the Role of Naju as an Energy Capital."
Throughout the event, the "Naju Energy Valley Promotion Center" will be operated in Hall A of COEX, offering one-on-one investment consultations at all times. In addition, promotional marketing activities for the "2026 Visit Naju Year" campaign will also take place.
Byungtae Yoon, Mayor of Naju, stated, "Securing the artificial sun research facility marks a turning point for Naju, transforming it from a city focused solely on the power industry into a national strategic hub leading future energy technologies. Since 2023, the metropolitan area investment attraction roadshow has been a crucial driver for the growth of Energy Valley and the attraction of companies. We hope that more innovative companies will discover new opportunities in Naju, based on our infrastructure that combines nuclear fusion, the power industry, and new energy industries."
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