Kim Young-bae of the Democratic Party Announces “New Seoul Industrial Map” Pledge: “Building a Seoul-Gyeonggi Mega Cluster”

Proposing a Balanced Growth Strategy for Seoul: Five Major Economic Zones and Three Special Regions

Kim Young-bae, an Assemblyman from the Democratic Party of Korea and a prospective candidate for Seoul Mayor, announced his “New Seoul Industrial Map” pledge on March 9, aimed at propelling Seoul’s leap forward over the next 30 years.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the same day, Assemblyman Kim unveiled a balanced growth strategy for Seoul, including: ▲ the “Four Major Connect Mega Cities” linking the daily economic zones of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, ▲ the redesign of the four major manufacturing industries in Seoul, and ▲ the “Three Major Global Seoul Youth Growth Valleys.” This strategy is based on the “Five Major Economic Zones (the Seoul Capital Area, Southeast, Daegyeong, Central, and Honam)” and the “Three Special Regions (Jeju, Jeonbuk, and Gangwon).”

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hyunwoo Shin = Kim Youngbae, a Democratic Party lawmaker and ruling party secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, is speaking at the Democratic Party-Ministry of Foreign Affairs party-government meeting on the Iran situation held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on March 3, 2026. nowwego@yna.co.kr (End)

Assemblyman Kim referenced the “Five Major, Three Special, Multipolar Growth Strategy” of the Lee Jaemyung administration and asserted, “To achieve balanced development in Seoul, we must boldly transform the current Gangnam-centered industrial structure.” He added, “I will connect each area of Seoul with neighboring regions in Gyeonggi Province to establish a Seoul-Gyeonggi daily economic mega cluster.”

To achieve this, he pledged to develop the northeastern region—stretching from Taereung, Nowon, and Dobong to Sinnae, Guri, and Namyangju—into a special innovation zone for AI and biotechnology. He plans to leverage the unique characteristics of this area, where major research institutes such as KIST, leading universities including Korea University, Kyung Hee University, and Kookmin University, as well as large medical institutions, are concentrated.

For the northwestern region, he promised to connect Eunpyeong and Sangam with Goyang to create a video and media mega cluster. In the southwestern region, he proposed establishing an AI and digital innovation valley linking Guro, Geumcheon, and Onsu with Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, and Incheon. He emphasized, “By combining smart factories, the robotics industry, and mechatronics technology in this area, I will turn it into the center of manufacturing innovation in Korea.”

In the southeastern region, he announced plans to form a climate tech industrial cluster centered on Songpa Munjeong and Garden Five. He aims to build an industrial ecosystem around Garden Five that will foster the growth of climate tech companies.

Assemblyman Kim stated, “The growth axis of Seoul cannot remain solely in Gangnam,” and added, “I will turn the four major regions of Seoul into new growth hubs driving the capital region’s economy.”

For the redesign of Seoul’s four major manufacturing industries, he stated, “I will reconstruct the traditional manufacturing industry centered around Cheonggyecheon as the ‘Cheonggye Silk Road.’” He pledged to transform Seoul into a creative industrial city by integrating its urban manufacturing sectors—including the fashion and apparel industry, AI mechatronics industry, jewelry industry, and printing industry—with AI, cultural content, and distribution networks.

He also mentioned the creation of the “Three Major Global Seoul Youth Growth Valleys,” which involve transforming the campuses of Gwanak, Sinchon, and Hongneung into engines for future industries. Through this initiative, he said, “I will turn Seoul into a city where young people stay, not leave—a city where industries grow and future jobs are created for the youth.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.