Government Finalizes Industrial Complex Innovation Projects... Comprehensive Support for AI, Energy, and Culture

904 Billion Won Invested in 10 Projects and 76 Tasks

Yonhap News Agency

The government has finalized the locations for industrial complex innovation projects, including initiatives for manufacturing artificial intelligence transformation (M.AX), carbon neutrality (GX), and improvements to working environments. Full-scale implementation of these projects will begin in the second half of the year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on July 10 that, as a result of the 2026 industrial complex support project contest, a total of 10 projects comprising 76 tasks have been selected, with funding amounting to 90.4 billion won.

This call for projects was designed to comprehensively support the manufacturing AI transformation, eco-friendly transition, strengthening of innovation capabilities, and creation of cultural spaces within industrial complexes. Major industrial complexes across the country, including Cheongju, Chungju, Pohang, Masan, Changwon, Jeonju, and Yeosu, have been included as beneficiaries.

First, for the spread of manufacturing AI, the ‘AX Demonstration Industrial Complex Construction Project’ has selected Pohang, Cheongju, and Gumi industrial complexes. The smart logistics platform construction project will be implemented in the Masan and Chungju industrial complexes.

The expansion of digital infrastructure within industrial complexes will also be accelerated. The 5G specialized network infrastructure construction project will be carried out in the Changwon industrial complex, while the edge artificial intelligence data center (AIDC) demonstration pilot project will take place at the Myeongji-Noksan industrial complex in Busan.

Support will also be expanded for the creation of carbon-neutral industrial complexes. The smart energy platform construction project will be implemented in the Masan, Asan Bugok, and Chungju industrial complexes. For the FEMS+ construction project, which aims to demonstrate energy and greenhouse gas measurement, 14 companies located in the Gyeongnam, Chungbuk, Busan, Ulsan, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk regions have been selected.

In addition, the energy self-sufficiency infrastructure project for building integrated energy management systems will be promoted in the Daejeon, Jeonju, Sacheon, Masan, Busan, Suncheon, and Chuncheon industrial complexes. The digital-based resource circulation pilot project will target the Yeosu and Pohang industrial complexes.

Cultural projects to create youth-friendly industrial complexes will also be promoted. The cultural leader industrial complex creation project has selected the Busan, Incheon, and Wonju industrial complexes. The industrial cluster competitiveness enhancement project (R&D) has finalized 41 consortia based on regional industry-academia collaboration, with research and development scheduled to begin in the second half of the year.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "Regional industrial complexes that contribute to balanced national development will now receive more substantial support," adding, "We will actively support the swift implementation of the selected projects so that industrial complexes can grow into key hubs revitalizing regional economies."

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