The competitiveness of cities in the AI era depends not on the number of factories they have, but on how quickly they can connect people, logistics, industries, and data.
Kimhae is strategically located in southern South Korea, connecting Busan Port, the new Gadeokdo Airport, Gimhae International Airport, and the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam mega city.
Kimhae Mayor Jeong Yeong-doo has proposed a vision to leverage this geographical advantage by transforming Kimhae into a leading smart logistics city in South Korea.
His key pledges include establishing a national smart logistics platform, creating a special zone for AI power semiconductor manufacturing, attracting an AI R&D center and AI high school, and building a self-driving testbed.
This strategy aims to develop an advanced industrial city that integrates AI industries with future mobility.
The question is clear: Can Kimhae truly become the center of South Korea's AI smart logistics revolution?
The national smart logistics platform will change the future of cities.
Mayor Jeong's flagship pledge is the establishment of a national smart logistics platform.
He plans to utilize the Special Act on International Logistics Promotion Zones to develop Kimhae as a national smart logistics hub. The core of this initiative is to connect ports, airports, railways, and roads into a single intelligent logistics network using AI and big data.
AI will analyze cargo movement routes in real-time, optimize logistics flows, and reduce delivery times.
The future competitiveness of logistics will depend not on the size of warehouses but on how effectively data is utilized.
Kimhae is well-positioned to be among the first cities to realize this transformation.
AI power semiconductors will lead future industries.
Mayor Jeong has also pledged to develop Kimhae into a special zone for AI power semiconductor manufacturing.
His strategy involves creating an advanced manufacturing belt that combines power semiconductors, AI, and defense industries by linking the Daedong Advanced Industrial Complex and Jinrae Techno Valley. Power semiconductors are considered essential components for electric vehicles, robots, drones, and the defense industry.
If AI drives industries, semiconductors power AI.
Kimhae has the potential to grow into a key hub for future manufacturing industries.
AI talent will enhance city competitiveness.
The AI industry cannot grow solely through companies.
People come first.
Mayor Jeong has promised to establish an AI high school and attract an AI R&D center.
His plan is to connect local universities, research institutions, and industrial complexes to cultivate AI talent and strengthen research and development capabilities.
In the AI era, skilled talent attracts companies, which in turn create investments and jobs.
Kimhae aims to build an AI ecosystem that connects education, research, and industry.
A self-driving testbed will open future mobility opportunities.
Mayor Jeong has announced plans to establish Kimhae as a self-driving vehicle testing ground.
With its mix of urban, industrial, and rural environments, Kimhae is deemed suitable for testing future mobility solutions.
Self-driving technology represents a transformation not just in the automotive industry but also in urban innovation through the integration of AI, communication, and road infrastructure.
Kimhae could serve as a testing ground for validating and industrializing AI mobility technologies.
The Gaya Valley will become a new center for the AI industry.
Mayor Jeong has revealed plans to redevelop aging industrial spaces into the Gaya Valley, an advanced industrial cluster.
The Gaya Valley aims to bring together AI, defense, power semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing companies and research institutions. The goal is to create an ecosystem that connects research, entrepreneurship, and production by attracting national research institute branches and testing centers.
In the AI era, it is not industrial complexes but innovative ecosystems that determine a city's competitiveness.
The Gaya Valley could be a key project that transforms Kimhae's industrial structure.
Dreaming of an AI hub in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam mega city.
Mayor Jeong envisions Kimhae as the central city connecting Busan, Ulsan, and Changwon in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam mega city.
By linking the new KTX Kimhae Station, expanding the regional transportation network, and establishing a smart logistics platform, he aims to create an AI economic zone where people, industries, and logistics are interconnected.
In the AI era, cities do not compete individually; rather, regional economic zones compete.
Kimhae could stand at the center of that connection.
Mayor Jeong's AI strategy integrates logistics, industry, transportation, and education.
The national smart logistics platform, AI power semiconductor manufacturing zone, AI high school, AI R&D center, and self-driving testbed all aim toward a single goal.
That goal is to position Kimhae as the center of South Korea's AI smart logistics and advanced manufacturing innovation.
The future of South Korea's manufacturing industry depends on how closely AI, logistics, and semiconductors are interconnected.
If Kimhae becomes the central axis of that connection, the southeastern region could emerge as a new growth axis for South Korea's AI industry.
Mayor Jeong Yeong-doo is an economic expert who has served as an administrative officer for economic policy at the Blue House and as a CEO. He was elected as the mayor of Kimhae in the 9th civil election.
He has proposed key pledges including the establishment of a national smart logistics platform, the creation of an AI power semiconductor manufacturing zone, the attraction of an AI high school and AI R&D center, the establishment of a self-driving testbed, and the development of the advanced industrial Gaya Valley.
His vision for governance is to grow Kimhae into the center of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam mega city and a future industrial city where AI, logistics, and advanced manufacturing converge.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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