Jeonbuk State is set to foster future high-tech industries centered on physical AI/robots, clean hydrogen, and AI data centers, using Hyundai Motor Group’s investment in Saemangeum as a key lever. The initiative aims to expand the anchor company's investment effects beyond Saemangeum, spreading industrial transformation and shared growth across all 14 cities and counties.

According to the provincial government on the 24th, Hyundai Motor Group’s investment in Saemangeum amounts to 8.9 trillion won, covering a site of 340,000 pyeong. Of this, 5.8 trillion won will be invested in a 100MW-class AI data center, and 1.3 trillion won in renewable energy to supply power to the data center and water electrolysis facilities. Additionally, a 200MW-class water electrolysis plant (1 trillion won) will produce 18 tons of clean hydrogen per day, alongside the establishment of a logistics/delivery robot manufacturing plant (with an annual capacity of 15,000 units) and an AI hydrogen city. The province expects this investment to generate an estimated 16 trillion won in production inducement effects and 71,000 jobs, as estimated by Hyundai Motor.

Using the robot manufacturing plant as an anchor, the province will build a robotics ecosystem spanning research and development, demonstration, certification, and mass production of components. Jeonbuk is well-suited for applying physical AI to actual machinery, as it produces 97% of domestic medium- and large-sized commercial vehicles and has concentrated agricultural and construction machinery industries. However, bridging local companies' design and control capabilities and research outcomes to mass production remains a complementary task.

To address this, the province plans to establish the tentatively named Korea Physical AI Promotion Agency—a pledge of the 9th elected ministration—equipped with demonstration centers for commercial vehicles, agriculture, robots, special-purpose vehicles, and construction machinery, while creating a regulatory-free verification environment through a mega-special zone. The K-Robot Demonstration Sharing Center will support R&D, demonstration, and certification of core robot components. Field-tailored talent will be nurtured through the Jeonbuk National University-Hyundai Motor joint campus and an AI Meister high school.

In the hydrogen sector, the province will create a green hydrogen innovation valley connecting production, storage, and utilization. Buhean’s water electrolysis demonstration will accelerate technology localization, while the province supports prompt permitting and the discovery of local green hydrogen demand sources for the Saemangeum water electrolysis plant. Wanju will be designated as a hydrogen commercial mobility specialized complex to connect the value chain. Plans also include requesting government support, such as establishing green hydrogen production subsidies and building a wide-area hydrogen pipeline network, to expand the hydrogen infrastructure base.

AI data centers are core national infrastructures that require simultaneous power, sites, and communication networks. The province is focusing on its strengths: scalable sites, renewable energy capable of responding to RE100, and an international submarine optical cable landing station scheduled for completion in 2027. Since the current manufacturing-centered location system and permitting processes pose obstacles, Jeonbuk aims to have Saemangeum designated as an AI data center special zone, securing power, location, and tax support alongside fast-track permitting. An AI supply-demand enterprise ecosystem will also be fostered so that local companies and research institutes can utilize GPUs and data.

The investment's impact will not stay confined to Saemangeum. Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan will serve as industrial hubs utilizing sites, ports, and renewable energy, while Jeonju, Iksan, Wanju, and Jeongeup will play the central role in manufacturing innovation, leading the AI and robot transformation of automotive and machinery parts. The eastern region will connect as a demonstration hub applying robots and AI to agrobio, forestry, tourism, and lifestyle services. The province plans to discover candidate projects for each city and county, bundle them into regional packages, and link them to national projects and public contests.

Yang Seon-hwa, Director of Future High-Tech Industries at Jeonbuk State, stated, "While using Saemangeum as an investment base, we will create a Jeonbuk 'One Team' industrial ecosystem where all 14 cities and counties share supply chains, human resources, demonstrations, and settlement environments according to their respective strengths. The province will oversee anchor investments, institutional improvements, and securing national budgets, while cities and counties prepare the infrastructure for businesses, human resources, demand, and living."

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]