"The Answers Were on the Ground"... What Kim Jeong-kwan Did in October Without Overseas Trips

On-site reviews of semiconductor facilities in Gwangju, shipbuilding in Yeongam, and bioindustry in Chuncheon
Shipbuilding M.AX Alliance launched
Industrial Complex MINI Alliance expands to 13 locations nationwide

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan said he spent October making intensive visits to industrial sites across the country to identify obstacles to corporate investment and regional growth. In the Chungcheong region, he also saw a case in which proactive local government action cut the time required for corporate permits and approvals from 10 months to three months. He said the government aims to review manufacturing AI transformation (M.AX) and regional growth projects on the ground and support companies in turning investment plans into actual investment and job creation.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan visits Gwangju Military Airport on October 12, a candidate site for a semiconductor industrial complex in the southwestern region, to review progress with relevant agencies on the temporary relocation of the military airport, designation of the industrial complex and site preparation, and plans for power and water supply. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

On the 31st, Kim posted on Facebook under the headline, “As expected, the answers were on the ground.” He wrote, “October was the first month since I took office as minister without an overseas trip,” adding, “I was able to leave my office desk and visit our regions and industrial sites more often.”

During October, Kim visited semiconductor sites in Gwangju, shipbuilding sites in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, a bioindustry site in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and sites for semiconductor materials and components and secondary batteries in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. He also reviewed progress on mega-projects in the Chungcheong region. He said he looked into the progress of government-led mega-projects and the growth engines under the “5 Mega-Regions and 3 Special Self-Governing Provinces” initiative, and listened to the views of businesspeople and local officials.

During the visits, he focused on infrastructure and administrative procedures needed for corporate investment. He reviewed issues that the central and local governments need to resolve—including power and water supply, securing sites, and permits and approvals—to ensure companies’ investment plans lead to actual implementation.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan listens to officials describe operations and challenges during a visit to the Chuncheon Bioindustry Promotion Agency in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on October 14. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Kim specifically cited the case in the Chungcheong region where the time required for permits and approvals was shortened. “Thanks to proactive efforts by the local government, the administrative process was being accelerated to keep pace with corporate investment, with the time required for permits and approvals cut from 10 months to three months,” he said. His remarks underscored the role of local governments and the importance of on-the-ground administration in ensuring that administrative procedures do not delay corporate investment.

He also said the foundation for collaboration on manufacturing AI transformation was expanding. The “Shipbuilding M.AX Alliance,” bringing together major and smaller shipbuilders, equipment suppliers and partner companies to advance AI transformation, was newly launched. The industrial complex MINI Alliance, which will lead AI transformation at industrial complexes, expanded to 13 locations nationwide with the addition of Gumi, Pohang and Cheongju.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan (center) presses a button during a ceremony marking the launch of the MINI Alliance at the 3rd M.AX Regional Conference on Expansion, held at the Gumi Convention Center in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on October 28. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

A “Data Subcommittee” was also launched to address data challenges, one of the key tasks for M.AX. The initiative appears to have established a framework for collaboration, recognizing that sharing and using data across companies is essential to expanding AI adoption at industrial sites.

“After visiting in person, the tasks we need to tackle became more concrete,” Kim said. “As I spoke with businesspeople, I heard about difficulties I had not known about and worked with them to consider how to resolve them.” He added, “I will continue to engage with people on the ground, find answers and turn them into tangible results.”

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