As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation accelerate the concentration of population in the greater Seoul area and the pace of population decline elsewhere, experts assessed that creating super-regional economic zones through the "5 Poles, 3 Special Zones" policy is a national survival strategy. They also suggested that, for the large-scale private investment behind the "Three Mega Projects" to bear fruit, the government must provide timely support for electricity, water, manpower, and materials, parts, and equipment.
Prime Minister Han Sung-sook held the second "Open Brunch" event on the 26th at the Prime Minister's official residence in Seoul, exchanging views under the theme of "AI and Balanced Regional Growth" with experts in industry, land, education, talent, and startups.
Participants included Ma Kang-rae, professor of urban planning and real estate at Chung-Ang University; Lee Jun, head of the Strategic Industry Research Center at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade; Kong Kyoung-chul, professor of mechanical engineering at KAIST; Park Jung-ho, professor at the Graduate School of Techno Art at Myongji University; Chang Dae-ik, dean of the Startup College at Gachon University; and Cho Young-tae, professor at the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University.
In a presentation titled "Why '5 Poles, 3 Special Zones' Is a National Survival Strategy," Professor Ma Kang-rae said, "The more the AI and digital era advances, the more the spatial concentration of high-level talent and innovative companies will intensify." He added that "for the greater Seoul area and the provinces to thrive together and for Korea to survive, it is important to create competitive super-regional economic zones that can counterbalance the greater Seoul area."
Center head Lee Jun said, "Despite the massive investment and overwhelming ecosystem-building by the United States and China, the current global AI ecosystem is experiencing bottlenecks in four areas: semiconductors, AI data centers, AI models, and physical AI." He assessed that "in this situation, the Three Mega Projects are a strategic bold bet for our country to preempt the core bottlenecks of the AI ecosystem."
He went on to propose that "for companies' large-scale private investment to translate into actual results, the government must support the supply of electricity, water, permits, manpower, and materials, parts, and equipment in line with the investment schedule, and must establish a rapid innovative financing support system, such as a dedicated program within the National Growth Fund."
During the open discussion, participants suggested that the outcomes of AI and the Three Mega Projects should be connected to local industries, jobs, and living environments.
Professor Kong Kyoung-chul stressed, "Rather than simply replicating Seoul's success model for regional development, regions should create their own unique brand and competitiveness, as in the case of KAIST." He emphasized that "building an innovation ecosystem in which the greater Seoul area and the regions are mutually connected is important."
Chang Dae-ik, dean at Gachon University, said, "To invigorate talent exchange between the greater Seoul area and the regions, exchange systems between universities must be boldly improved." He added that "beyond regional settlement, it is important to build a connection system in which talent can freely circulate between the greater Seoul area and the regions."
Professor Park Jung-ho of Myongji University stressed, "We must foster not only AI and semiconductors but also non-AI industries together to maintain the balance of regional industrial ecosystems." He added that "we need to establish region-tailored living environments and new-technology adoption strategies suited to the AI era, and to enhance the enforceability of existing policies through regulatory improvement and fine-tuning."
Prime Minister Han said, "While continuing discussions with experts, we will work with relevant ministries to flesh out the fostering of regional hub universities and ways to link AI, industry, and settlement policies." The government plans to reflect the expert opinions discussed that day in the direction of its national land transformation drive. It also plans to link expert discussions with on-site visits by region going forward to identify tasks that regions actually need and develop them into concrete policies.
