Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the Growth Engine Strategy Forum for the Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces (5+3) framework on June 10, 2026, at the Artificial Intelligence Industry Cluster Agency (AICA) in Gwangju. Chaired by Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak, the forum brought together about 100 regional industry stakeholders from Gwangju and Jeonnam, including local government officials and representatives of anchor companies and regional innovation institutions.

The forum gathered views on industries proposed by local governments in each region as regional growth engines under the framework. Participants discussed each region’s industrial conditions and growth potential and explored development approaches tailored to regional strengths. Beginning with the forum for the Southwest region, MOTIR plans to hold similar forums across all regions covered by the framework, excluding the Seoul metropolitan area.

Under the framework, the regional growth engine initiative positions each growth engine as a core industry for its region and supports balanced national growth through a more polycentric industrial structure. MOTIR plans to work closely with local governments to facilitate large-scale investment by anchor companies. The government also plans to draw on policy tools across ministries and provide substantial incentives for major regional investment projects through a seven-part support package covering fiscal support, financing, workforce development, infrastructure, and regulatory exemptions.

At the forum, experts from the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET) presented an analysis of the industries that local governments submitted as candidate growth engines. Participants examined each industry in detail, including regional industrial conditions, corporate investment plans, future growth potential, and alignment with Korea’s national industrial strategy. The Gwangju Institute also presented its assessment of the Southwest region’s industrial landscape and development priorities, followed by a discussion on industrial development priorities for Gwangju and Jeonnam from a regional expert perspective.

In a panel discussion moderated by Professor Na Ju-mong, President of the Korean Association of Regional Policy (KARP), panelists from anchor companies, local governments, and regional innovation institutions discussed proposals for developing Gwangju and Jeonnam’s growth engine industries. Kim Hee-sam, Vice President at Kia Corporation, said, “Kia plans to continue investing in its Gwangju Plant as part of the regional growth engine initiative. Policy and financial support from the government will be needed to strengthen the automotive industry ecosystem in the Southwest region.” Kim Young-moon, Gwangju’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy, said, “Gwangju will continue strengthening communication and cooperation between the central and local governments to support the success of these growth engines.”

In his opening remarks, Vice Minister Moon said, “This forum will mark the first step in reshaping the geography of Korea’s industrial growth around a polycentric structure built on the Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces.” He added, “MOTIR will identify and develop high-potential growth engines that build on each region’s strengths. We will use every available policy tool to help each region build a self-sustaining, competitive industrial ecosystem.”

After consulting regions under the framework, MOTIR plans to select growth engines for each region and announce a seven-part policy support package to develop them into globally competitive industries. The package will cover fiscal support, tax incentives, financing, workforce development, technology support, infrastructure, and regulatory exemptions.