Vice Governor Kang Sukkyoon Leaves After Planting 'Growth Engines' in South Jeolla

Supported Investment in Data Centers Since Taking Office Last June

Praised for Efforts in Laying the Foundation for Advanced Future Industries

Sukkyoon Kang, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs, who has supported the development of future industries such as AI, semiconductors, and energy in Jeollanam-do as well as the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, will retire on June 30.

Since taking office in June last year, Vice Governor Kang has worked for more than a year with the central government, the National Assembly, and the Presidential Office, focusing on resolving major issues in South Jeolla Province and securing future growth engines. He also contributed to the region's advanced industry infrastructure by supporting the Ministry of Science and ICT’s National AI Computing Center construction project, partnering on the SK-OpenAI Data Center, and attracting artificial sun research facilities.

Up until just before his retirement, he was also involved in attracting semiconductor companies, further contributing to the creation of a future industry ecosystem.

Sukkyoon Kang, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs

Additionally, he proposed to the government the enactment of a special law to overcome the crisis in the petrochemical and steel industries, participated in the establishment of a 7.3GW offshore wind power cluster, and the designation of distributed energy special zones throughout South Jeolla Province, thus supporting the region’s energy transition policies.

He was also active in attracting corporate investments. He formed a dedicated task force within the provincial government and participated in attracting investments from companies such as LS Cable, Sungkyung, Haejin Fisheries, Costco Korea, and Yeosu Green Energy, thereby enhancing the region’s industrial base and creating job opportunities.

In particular, during the administrative integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla, he served as the inaugural co-head of the integration task force, overseeing the preparation of a special law and the launch of the integrated special city, playing a pivotal role in the process.

To discuss ways to utilize administrative integration support funds, he organized the “20 Trillion Won Citizens’ Community Forum,” drawing participation from about 10,000 citizens. He also hosted the “Cheongchaek Daedonghoe Baran” citizens’ forum five times, focusing on building a governance model that incorporates citizens’ opinions into policy-making.

Ahead of his retirement, Vice Governor Kang stated, “It was meaningful to participate in laying the foundation for advanced industries and the energy transition in South Jeolla as Vice Governor for Economic Affairs. I will always support the development and prosperity of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City.”

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Kang is a native of Myoryang-myeon, Yeonggwang-gun. He previously served as president of the Chonnam National University student council, chairperson of the Korean University Student Council Union, head of Yeomindongrak, director of the Deobeureorak Gwangsan-gu Senior Welfare Center, and president of the Gyeonggi Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Promotion Agency.

With Vice Governor Kang’s retirement, changes are expected in the economic leadership responsible for South Jeolla’s economic policies and preparations for the launch of the integrated special city. In particular, as major future industry projects such as the National AI Computing Center, data centers, and semiconductor clusters are set to move forward in earnest, there is growing attention on the role of the next Vice Governor for Economic Affairs.

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