Saemangeum and Jeonbuk are positioning themselves as central hubs for the physical artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, gathering government, academic, and industry leaders to discuss innovative technologies.
The "Joint Launch Event for South Korea's Physical AI Hub: Saemangeum and Jeonbuk," hosted by the Jeonbuk Provincial Residents Association, took place on June 18 at Seoul City Hall. The event aimed to showcase the infrastructure competitiveness of Jeonbuk and Saemangeum in the physical AI industry, which integrates AI technology with robotics, autonomous driving, and smart manufacturing, elevating it to a national agenda.
More than 500 attendees, including politicians from Jeonbuk and representatives from major companies such as Hyundai Motor Group, SK Telecom, Doosan Robotics, and NCSoft AI, participated in the launch.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, in his congratulatory speech, stated, "Physical AI is a key technology that enhances productivity in industries such as robotics, mobility, and logistics while creating new added value. The government will spare no effort in building infrastructure, improving regulations, and supporting workforce development to ensure Jeonbuk grows into the heart of global future mobility and advanced industries beyond South Korea."
Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, who also chairs the Jeonbuk Physical AI Special Committee, emphasized, "The vast reclaimed land of Saemangeum and Jeonbuk's solid machinery and manufacturing base are unique assets that no tech valley in the world can replicate. In the global competition for technological supremacy, the only way for South Korea to survive is through the convergence of hardware and AI. We will accelerate the entry of major corporations and advanced research institutions, transcending political boundaries with strong policy drives."
Kwak Young-gil, president of the Jeonbuk Provincial Residents Association, echoed this sentiment, saying, "The fervent desire of Jeonbuk residents gathered here today is for Jeonbuk to stand tall as a key player in South Korea's future industries. We will act as a strong bridge to attract large corporations and advanced talent to Jeonbuk." He affirmed the association's commitment to mobilizing all resources to establish Jeonbuk as a global center for physical AI.
Saemangeum and Jeonbuk are recognized as optimal locations for the physical AI industry due to their comprehensive manufacturing ecosystem, which includes commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery, and construction equipment. Notably, Jeonbuk accounts for over 90% of South Korea's commercial vehicle production and hosts numerous headquarters of major companies, facilitating rapid decision-making and close public-private collaboration.
In February, Hyundai Motor announced a 9 trillion won investment project in the Saemangeum area, planning to establish it as a global production and testing base for future mobility, large logistics robots, and autonomous trucks. This initiative aims to leverage Saemangeum's vast land to develop advanced autonomous manufacturing infrastructure and focus on a lineup of eco-friendly commercial vehicles based on renewable energy.
In line with the visible movements of large corporations, national projects are also gaining momentum. The "Collaboration Intelligence Physical AI-Based Platform R&D Ecosystem Development" project, set to be established in the Jeonbuk National University Iseo Campus area, which spans the size of 25 soccer fields, has already passed the preliminary feasibility study exemption. This will enable rapid development as a core base for R&D and testing in South Korea.
KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung highlighted the geopolitical and industrial value of Jeonbuk in his keynote address. He stated, "The physical AI industry requires AI data centers capable of processing massive amounts of data, autonomous manufacturing, and a large testbed for direct validation. The only optimal location in South Korea that meets all three core elements is Jeonbuk and Saemangeum."
Additionally, Saemangeum has proactively secured the largest renewable energy supply system in South Korea, based on RE100 (100% renewable energy), including solar and wind power. This is expected to be an attractive incentive for global companies facing the challenge of transitioning to low-carbon, eco-friendly operations.
Jeonbuk plans to invest 1 trillion won by 2030 to establish the country's first "Physical AI Dedicated Testing Ground." This initiative aims to accelerate the automation of processes across regional industries and the transition to intelligent factories, maximizing productivity and reducing manufacturing costs while establishing a global standard for eco-friendly, low-carbon manufacturing ecosystems.
Jeonbuk Governor-elect Lee Won-taek stated, "The top priority of the newly launched 9th civilian government is to complete the 'Jeonbuk Physical AI Valley.' With the exemption from the feasibility study and an initial proof of concept budget of 21.9 billion won already secured, we have laid a solid foundation. I will visit over ten major corporations to ensure that R&D, testing, and mass production can all be resolved in Jeonbuk at once."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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