Pohang City Secures Both Advanced Future Industry With "Graphene Valley" Leap and Everyday Reading Culture
K-Graphene Commercialization Consortium Launched
2026 Pohang Reading Grand Festival Concludes Successfully
Pohang City has simultaneously launched a large-scale consortium to foster the advanced new materials industry and successfully hosted the largest reading festival in the Daegu–Gyeongbuk region, thereby strengthening both its future growth engines and cultural capabilities.
On September 14, Pohang City held the inauguration ceremony for the "K-Graphene Commercialization Consortium" at the Nano Convergence Technology Institute conference hall and officially began the establishment of the "Pohang Graphene Valley."
This inauguration event was attended by 26 companies and institutions, including Graphene Square, representing the materials, equipment, battery, bio, and AI sectors.
On the same day, Pohang City announced a development roadmap outlining four key strategies: advancement of the industrial ecosystem; establishment of demonstration and standard infrastructure; expansion of a demand-driven ecosystem; and creation of a globally leading innovation environment.
Going forward, Pohang City plans to utilize the infrastructure of POSTECH and the Nano Convergence Technology Institute to support the entire process, from demonstration of graphene technology to commercialization and mass production. The city also intends to actively pursue designation for national advanced strategic technology.
Prior to this, from September 12 to 13, the only regional reading festival in the Daegu–Gyeongbuk area, the "2026 Pohang Reading Grand Festival," was held around the Po Eun Central Library, attracting participation from more than 5,000 citizens.
Held under the theme "Books, Meeting People," this year's event featured a book talk with Kim Aeran, author of the Book of the Year, a book market attended by 16 publishers and bookstores, and various experiential programs for families. In total, 40 diverse programs across six categories were operated.
Pohang City Mayor Park Yongseon enriched the meaning of the festival by visiting the event venue to interact directly with citizens, opting for this approach instead of holding an extravagant protocol-focused opening ceremony.
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From driving industrial innovation centered on advanced new materials to creating a space for civic engagement where books and culture converge, Pohang City has demonstrated its ability to simultaneously secure future growth engines and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
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