Wanju Industrial Complex Transforms from Aging Site to Future Mobility Hub

Selected for Competitive Industrial Complex Revitalization Project by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

The Wanju Industrial Complex in North Jeolla Province is expected to be transformed into a hub for future mobility manufacturing innovation, focusing on electrification, hydrogen, and artificial intelligence (AI). The North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 22nd that the Wanju General Industrial Complex has been selected as a candidate site for the “Project Zone for Strengthening the Competitiveness of Aging Industrial Complexes,” a joint initiative by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Provided by Jeonbuk Provincial Government.

With this selection, a foundation has been laid to implement a total of 274.1 billion won worth of industrial transformation and manufacturing innovation projects over three years, starting in 2027, centered around the Wanju General Industrial Complex’s industrial belt. However, after expert consultations following the candidate site designation, it will be finally confirmed and announced as a project zone for competitiveness enhancement in the first quarter of next year.

According to North Jeolla Province, it has been 37 years since the establishment of Wanju General Industrial Complex and 29 years for Jeonju Science Industrial Complex, resulting in aging facilities, and with the average occupancy rate at 96.6%, it is difficult to secure new industrial space. In addition, the need to upgrade the functions of existing industrial complexes has grown due to the combined pressures of transitioning to electric and hydrogen vehicles, the proliferation of manufacturing AI, and increasingly strict carbon emission regulations.

North Jeolla Province plans to develop an ecosystem for the future mobility industry, spanning materials and components, research and development, manufacturing, and finished vehicle production by functionally interlinking surrounding industrial complexes centered on the Wanju General Industrial Complex.

The Wanju General Industrial Complex, led by Hyundai Motor, will oversee finished vehicle production and manufacturing innovation. The Jeonju Science Industrial Complex will be responsible for research and development and technology commercialization. Wanju Technovalley Districts 1 and 2 will expand into advanced components and robotics, while the Wanju Agro-Industrial Complex is structured to support supply chains and production.

North Jeolla Province also unveiled a broader plan to position Wanju not as a single industrial complex, but as the core axis connecting regions within the province for the future mobility industry.

Under this plan, the Jeonju area will focus on research and development, testing, and certification; the Gunsan and Saemangeum region will handle AI, secondary battery, and hydrogen supply chains; and the Gimje area will be responsible for the special vehicle value chain.

Hee-Sook Yoo, Director of Corporate Attraction and Support at North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province, stated, “The selection of this candidate site is significant in that it allows tenant companies at the Wanju Industrial Complex to expand into future mobility and manufacturing innovation, and establishes a foundation for continuous growth based on technology and talent. We will ensure smooth implementation of the project, strengthening connections with nearby industrial complexes so that corporate growth and job creation will contribute to surrounding areas and the North Jeolla economy as a whole.”

Meanwhile, in the five Wanju industrial complexes—including the Wanju General Industrial Complex, Jeonju Science Industrial Research Complex, Wanju Technovalley Districts 1 and 2, and Wanju Agro-Industrial Complex—there are 486 companies. While this accounts for only 11.5% of all industrial complex companies in North Jeolla Province, it represents 23.5% of employment with 19,716 employees, 43.5% of production totaling 26 trillion won, and 42.8% of exports at 4.2 billion dollars. In particular, about 60% of automobile and trailer production takes place in this area, meaning the transformation of the Wanju industrial belt is closely tied to structural changes in North Jeolla’s automotive industry.

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