Occupancy Rules Open Up to AI and Urban Logistics... 'Signature Gwanggyo 2' Draws Attention

Government Moves to Shift Knowledge Industry Center Occupancy Rules to a "Negative List" Approach
Stricter Reviews of New Development Approvals Ahead... Completed Business Spaces Ready for Immediate Occupancy Draw Attention

With regulations on occupancy at knowledge industry centers being eased, companies preparing to relocate or expand their workplaces are turning their attention to completed knowledge industry centers as new business spaces. This is because the range of options for companies has expanded significantly, with new industries such as AI and urban advanced logistics now also eligible to move in.

In September 2026, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced its "Measures to Address Vacancies in Knowledge Industry Centers and Improve the System." As part of the plan, the government is pursuing amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment Act to shift the rules for production facilities at knowledge industry centers from a "positive list" approach, which permits only specified industries, to a "negative list" approach, which allows all industries except those explicitly prohibited. The core direction is to broadly accommodate industries while restricting occupancy by certain types, including gambling and harmful facilities, industries that impose environmental burdens, and facilities for hazardous materials.

Until now, only industries listed under the Korean Standard Industrial Classification had been eligible to move into knowledge industry centers, including manufacturing, 76 types of knowledge industries, and 19 types of information and communications industries. As a result, new convergence industries whose classifications were unclear faced restrictions on moving in.

If the changes take effect, the situation will be completely different. Going forward, all industries will be eligible to move in, except for certain types, including facilities regulated under the Act on the Regulation of Speculative Acts, Amusement Facilities, industries that generate wastewater, noise, or odors, cemeteries and funeral facilities, national defense and military facilities, and facilities for storing or handling hazardous materials. For example, the doors will open wide to new logistics and distribution industries that did not clearly fit into existing industry classification systems, including app development using AI, smart logistics, urban micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs), and drone photography services.

This reform is significant because it reflects the reality of increasingly blurred boundaries between industries in the rules governing occupancy. Previously, eligibility depended on whether a company fell under an industry permitted by the Korean Standard Industrial Classification, making it difficult for companies combining multiple technologies and services to move in because their industry classification was unclear. Once the changes take effect, companies are expected to be able to compare a broader range of locations and spaces suited to their actual business operations, alongside checking whether their industry is permitted.

Alongside the easing of regulations, approval for new developments will become stricter. Guidelines will be distributed requiring local government heads to consider nearby vacancy levels and the capacity of infrastructure when reviewing establishment approvals. A new procedure will also require them to notify the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy before approval and receive the minister's preliminary opinion. Industry observers say that because more industries will be eligible to move in while new supply is reduced, the relative value of well-located centers that are already complete and ready for businesses to begin operations is likely to rise.

In particular, as the convergence of Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors such as AI and big data with urban logistics accelerates, knowledge industry centers in prime locations with extensive regional transport networks and ready-to-use business facilities are expected to attract even more attention from companies with actual space needs.

Against this backdrop, Signature Gwanggyo 2, drawing attention as the last knowledge industry center in the Gwanggyo Housing Site Development District, is once again in the spotlight. Built by Hanwha Engineering & Construction, the complex offers an ideal location and design to fully benefit from the easing of industry restrictions, and is emerging as a new hub for a range of companies in AI, logistics, R&D, IT, and biotechnology.

Signature Gwanggyo 2 is located on an urban support facility site within the Gwanggyo Housing Site Development District in Sanghyeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The complex comprises four basement levels and 10 floors above ground, combining a knowledge industry center with a separate dormitory building and neighborhood commercial facilities. It has ample parking, with a total of 225 spaces, equivalent to 192.31% of the legally required number.

Its greatest strength is its transport accessibility. Sanghyeon Station on the Shinbundang Line is within walking distance, providing access to the Gangnam area in around 30 minutes without transfers. The complex is also close to Sanghyeon Interchange on the Yongin-Seoul Expressway, Dong Suwon Interchange on the Yeongdong Expressway, Singal Junction on the Gyeongbu Expressway, and Poeun-daero (National Route 43), making it well positioned for logistics and delivery companies that need to serve the entire Seoul metropolitan area, including urban logistics hubs such as MFCs.

The surrounding demand base and potential for industrial synergies are also outstanding. Located at the heart of the advanced industrial belt in southern Gyeonggi Province, the nearby Gwanggyo Techno Valley industrial complex is home to domestic companies, business support organizations, and research institutions, including the Gyeonggi Bio Center, the Institute for Advanced Technology, and the Korea Nanotechnology Institute. Its proximity to Pangyo Techno Valley also offers opportunities for collaboration and business expansion through links with IT and gaming companies.

In addition, the Yongin Sanghyeon District 4 Urban Development Project is underway next to Signature Gwanggyo 2. The project will create an advanced industrial and business complex in Sanghyeon-dong, and is expected to contribute to the concentration of businesses and expansion of business infrastructure as development progresses.

The center also stands out for its specialized design, which maximizes work efficiency. A Signature Garden has been created on the second basement level, bringing in natural light and providing a pleasant space for relaxation. The lobby spans three floors, enhancing the prestige of tenant companies while providing natural light and a sense of openness. The building was designed to make the most of the natural surroundings of Maebongsan Mountain and Gasan Stream. Other amenities include a rooftop garden, a plaza, and a rest garden, along with a variety of spaces where people can relax.

A sales representative said, "With industry restrictions effectively disappearing, we are receiving more inquiries from AI, logistics, and convergence companies whose eligibility to move in was previously unclear. The center is already complete and ready for businesses to begin operations, and it offers both convenient access to Gangnam and advanced industrial infrastructure, making it an excellent option for companies with actual space needs."

Meanwhile, the promotional center is located at Signature Gwanggyo 2 in Sanghyeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

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