Gyeongnam Delegation Returns with Major Achievements: 100 Billion Won Investment, Manufacturing AI Advancement, and Expanded Export Channels

The delegation from Gyeongnam Province, led by Governor Park Wansu, has returned from a four-day, three-night business trip to China with a series of accomplishments, including attracting investments totaling 100 billion won, creating 150 new jobs, drawing in tourists, advancing manufacturing by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and expanding export channels.

Governor Park and the Gyeongnam delegation visited Shanghai and Suzhou, China, from September 17 to 20.

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province (far left) is discussing a business agreement at the headquarters of the Chinese travel platform Tongcheng Travel. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

On the first day of their trip, the delegation signed a business agreement with Tongcheng Travel, a major local travel platform, to vitalize tourism in Gyeongnam. Through this agreement, they will cooperate on promoting Gyeongnam tourism content and products, developing travel courses together, and conducting both online and offline marketing initiatives.

In particular, they launched the '48-Hour Escape to Gyeongnam' promotion targeting young individual travelers, aiming to achieve over 15 million online promotional exposures and attract more than 7,000 Chinese tourists.

Governor Park Wansoo of Gyeongnam Province (right) is shaking hands with a representative from the headquarters of the Chinese travel platform Tongcheng Travel after signing a business agreement.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

The delegation also visited AGIBOT (Jiyuan Robotics), a Chinese humanoid robot company in the Yangtze River Robot Valley, to observe cases where AI and robotics are integrated into manufacturing processes through Physical AI technologies and to review the robot production and operations systems. They sought ways to apply these innovations to Gyeongnam’s manufacturing industry.

They further specified plans to establish a 'Manufacturing AI Demonstration and Diffusion Hub' that leverages the region’s accumulated manufacturing field data from key industries such as aviation, defense, and nuclear power. The goal is to create a foundation for local companies to demonstrate and expand the use of AI and robot technology in production sites, thereby boosting the productivity and competitiveness of the provincial manufacturing sector.

The delegation from Gyeongnam is examining a panda-shaped robot at AGIBOT (Jiyuan Robotics), a Chinese humanoid robot company located in the Yangtze Robot Valley, Shanghai, China.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

On September 18 in Shanghai, Gyeongnam concluded an investment agreement (MOU) with DMG Group for a 100 billion won investment to relocate the automotive parts production base to the region, to newly construct a factory for power supply equipment such as transformer radiators on a 50,000-square-meter site, and to newly hire 150 employees.

Additionally, by hosting the 'Gyeongnam Consumer Goods Export Consultation Meeting,' six Gyeongnam companies signed letters of intent to export goods worth a total of USD 7.86 million with six Chinese firms, thereby further expanding their foothold in the Chinese market.

Sungho Park, Head of Busanjin-Hae Economic Free Zone Authority (far left), Jaekyu Park, Managing Director of DMG, Jacheon Koo, Honorary Chairman of Changwon Chamber of Commerce, Jaehyun Kim, Chairman of DMG, Wansu Park, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, JinHyun Park, Provincial Assembly Member of the Economic and Environmental Committee, and Insu Kim, Director of Economic and Trade Bureau, are celebrating the signing of the investment agreement. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

During this trip, the delegation also visited local companies from the province operating in China to listen to conditions on the ground and to consider support measures.

First, they visited Hyundai Wia's Jiangsu subsidiary in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, to hear about the challenges arising from local management and to receive requests for necessary support.

They then held a meeting with representatives of other local companies such as Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Engine, Hyundai Wia, Taelim Industrial, Daemyung Precision, CTR, SNT Dynamics, and GMB Korea. In these discussions, they shared issues related to China’s changing industrial and market environment and companies’ difficulties, and discussed support measures to help locally operating companies achieve stable growth and to assist those hoping to return and settle in Gyeongnam.

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province (clockwise), Assemblyman Park Jinhyun, Director of Economic and Trade Affairs, Song Chihwan, Resident Officer of Hyundai Wia, Park Kyungtaek, Head of Hyundai Wia Small and Medium Business Division, Kim Junhyung, Hyundai Wia Senior Manager, Spokesperson, and Gu Jacheon, Honorary Chairman of Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are exchanging opinions regarding local management. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

Governor Park Wansu stated, "This trip to China went beyond mere exchanges; it became an opportunity to broaden new growth avenues for Gyeongnam in areas such as investment, tourism, manufacturing innovation, and exports." He added, "We will ensure follow-up actions so that the 100 billion won investment leads to tangible results such as actual groundbreaking and job creation, and collaborations in tourism and exports result in outcomes that are felt by local residents and businesses."

He further emphasized, "The province, businesses, and related organizations will unite as 'Team Gyeongnam' to transform opportunities for cooperation with China into gains in investment, jobs, exports, and attracting tourists."

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