Pohang City Advances Toward a 'Sustainable Global City' Through Green Growth, Foreign Investment Attraction, and Beach Openings

Opening of 'WGGF 2026' With Participation From 50 Countries on July 8
74 Billion Won Investment to Foster Global Medical Device Hub
All Eight Beaches, Including Yeongildae, to Open on July 11

Pohang City is dedicating its efforts to sustainable economic growth and regional revitalization by simultaneously advancing carbon neutrality-driven green industrial transformation, attracting global companies, and officially opening its summer beach season.

Provided by Pohang City

On July 8, Pohang City hosted the '2026 World Green Growth Forum (WGGF 2026)' at Lahan Hotel Pohang under the theme 'Beyond Boundaries, A New Green Future.'

The forum was attended by approximately 1,500 participants from 50 countries worldwide, who discussed responses to the climate crisis and measures for international cooperation between cities.

In his opening remarks, Pohang Mayor Park Yongseon emphasized, "Carbon neutrality is no longer just an environmental issue but a matter of industrial competitiveness," adding, "We will foster future industries, such as AI, secondary batteries, and hydrogen, based on the green transformation of the steel industry, to create a new model for sustainable industrial cities."

This forum brought together heads of international organizations, including Kim Sanghyup, Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Gino Van Begin, Secretary General of ICLEI, and Juan Verde, Chairman of Alamo Holding Group, to share strategies for cooperation between cities and international organizations.

During the forum, a variety of side events are being held, including sessions on green industries, low-carbon marine transportation, and green finance, as well as the 'GGGI X Pohang Enterprises Workshop' and citizen participation concerts.

On the same day, Pohang City also signaled the advancement of its bio and healthcare industries by launching expanded investment cooperation with the global medical device company Siemens Healthineers Ltd.

Mayor Park Yongseon met with Saurabh Pagaria, Head of the Ultrasound Business Unit at Siemens Healthineers, who visited the city hall, to discuss follow-up measures to the investment memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last year.

Siemens Healthineers plans to double the annual production capacity of intracardiac ultrasound catheters at its Pohang plant—which supplies 70% of the global market—from 500,000 units to 1 million units, through approximately 74 billion won (51 million dollars) in foreign direct investment (FDI) between 2026 and 2031.

In line with this, Pohang City plans to utilize the 6th Venture Building at Pohang Technopark, scheduled for completion in June next year, as a global medical device manufacturing hub.

This investment is expected to create 383 new jobs, attract approximately 1,350 new residents, and generate an economic ripple effect of about 15.1 billion won annually in the local economy.

In addition to fostering sustainable future industries, Pohang City has also completed preparations to welcome visitors for the peak summer vacation season.

From July 11 to August 23—a period of 44 days—the city will open all eight designated beaches, including Yeongildae, Guryongpo, Chilpo, and Wolpo.

The beaches will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To ensure a safe and pleasant swimming environment, jellyfish and shark net barriers have been installed, and a total of 90 dedicated safety management personnel—including 82 lifeguards and 8 first aid staff—have been deployed.

On the opening day, July 11, each beach will hold its own opening ceremony along with water and fish rituals to pray for safety.

A Pohang City official stated, "We will showcase our vision for green growth, where industry and the environment coexist, to the world, while creating a vibrant Pohang by attracting global investment and establishing a safe marine tourism environment."

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