Cheongju, South Korea – The Cheongju Advanced Research and Development Special Zone (ARDSZ) in North Chungcheong Province has announced the launch of its second phase of development, backed by a ₩18 billion budget over five years, starting in 2025. This initiative aims to further advance the region's smart IT components and systems industry.

Phase 1 Success Fuels Ambitious Phase 2 Goals

Established in 2019 by the Ministry of Science and ICT, with Chungbuk National University as the core technology institution, the Cheongju ARDSZ encompasses the university's main and Ochang campuses, as well as the Ochang Industrial Complex. Its primary focus has been the smart IT components and systems sector.

The first phase of the project (2020-2024), with a budget of ₩19.9 billion, yielded impressive results:

30 new research institute companies
172 technology transfers
65 startups
₩10.6 billion in investment
299 new jobs
₩34.6 billion in sales

Building on this success, the second phase will expand its focus to include advanced semiconductors, energy, and IT-integrated components, in addition to the existing smart IT components and systems. The core strategy is to foster open innovation among large, medium, and small enterprises, strengthening technology commercialization and business support to establish a cutting-edge industry innovation hub.

Three Core Strategies for Phase 2

The second phase will concentrate on three key strategies:

Deep-Tech Technology Commercialization Platform: Leveraging existing infrastructure such as the Semiconductor IT Parts and Materials Center, the Secondary Battery Demonstration Center, and the Digital Innovation Hub Center, this strategy aims to boost technology commercialization in deep-tech sectors.
Innovation Engine: This initiative will establish a comprehensive support system for technology verification, demonstration, and product development, enabling companies within the ARDSZ to conduct R&D more effectively. It will also provide access to crucial technology verification and demonstration infrastructure from the early stages of R&D planning.
Strengthened Support for Deep-Tech Startups: The ARDSZ will proactively identify and support deep-tech startups from the planning phase, with a focus on technology investment. This will help promising startups enter the market early on. The program will also maximize investment attraction through private investment linkage programs.

Government Commitment

Kim Su-in, head of the Science and Talent Bureau of North Chungcheong Province, emphasized the ARDSZ's role as a key driver of regional industrial innovation. She pledged active support for companies to achieve stable growth and global competitiveness in the second phase.

The Cheongju ARDSZ is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the smart IT components and systems industry, and solidify its position as a leading innovation hub through this second phase of development.