GUNSAN — "Since we signed the agreement with Hyundai Motor Group, the mood in Saemangeum has turned energetic. More companies in advanced industries such as artificial intelligence are now considering investing here."
Moon Sung-yo, commissioner of the Saemangeum Development Agency, described the shift in how companies view the reclamation zone at a press briefing on the 10th at the National Saemangeum Tideland Museum in North Jeolla Province. "I cannot discuss specifics until agreements are actually signed," the commissioner said. "Officials from China's Ministry of Commerce visited Saemangeum, and executives from domestic and foreign companies in fields ranging from secondary batteries to logistics are coming here. If there are companies from other countries willing to invest, we will actively bring them in."
Moon is an urban planning specialist who previously served at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as head of the Sejong City construction and urban bureau, head of the urban regeneration project planning team and director general for planning and coordination. Recognized for expertise in urban development after overseeing the groundwork for the Multifunctional Administrative City and the master plan for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, Moon was appointed the agency's eighth commissioner in June.
The commissioner's top priority is supporting Hyundai Motor Group's roughly 9 trillion won ($6.5 billion) investment so that it proceeds as planned. The reason is that the investment can serve as a starting point for revitalizing Saemangeum development and lead to additional corporate tenants. On the revised master plan the agency announced last month, Moon said the focus was "on strengthening Saemangeum's competitiveness and building an ecosystem where companies invest and grow." The commissioner added, "We will also pursue a broader regional growth strategy that links Saemangeum with neighboring cities."
On the agency's budget proposal for next year, which is 7.4 billion won, or 3.4%, larger than this year's, Moon said the significance lies "not simply in a bigger budget, but in supporting the industrial base so that companies can invest in Saemangeum faster and settle in with stability." The commissioner continued, "For a company to actually start operations in Saemangeum, it needs not only industrial land but also electricity, water, transportation and various other infrastructure. This budget proposal is focused not on ending with winning corporate investment, but on creating an environment where companies actually invest and run their businesses."
Moon also said, "Saemangeum is being transformed into a future industrial city where companies invest and grow together, centered on advanced strategic industries such as robotics, AI and hydrogen." The commissioner added, "We will also actively work to resolve the difficulties companies face."
