President Lee Jae-myung stated, "Yeongnam will now take a step further, moving beyond being the number one in domestic manufacturing to become the world leader in manufacturing."

President Lee attended the "National Report on the Development Vision for Advanced Industries in the Yeongnam Region," held in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, on this day (July 3). He declared, "Yeongnam has the potential to leap forward as the undisputed hub of South Korea's manufacturing and a global center for advanced manufacturing," adding, "Large-scale investments to foster advanced industries will be added to this solid foundation."

President Lee highlighted the electronics industry in the Gumi industrial complex, automobiles, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals in Ulsan, and steel in Pohang, praising the region by saying, "Yeongnam is the cradle of South Korea's industry and the place where the sparks of industrialization first ignited."

He continued, "Various advanced industries that will be responsible for national economic security and future jobs are densely concentrated in the Yeongnam region," and added, "If we fuse advanced technologies and industries such as physical AI (artificial intelligence) and aerospace onto this solid manufacturing base, South Korea will lead the future global market."

Specifically, he explained, "Along with large-scale investments in next-generation semiconductors and AI data centers, we will concentrate on fostering the physical AI sector, including the nation's largest robot industry innovation belt, automobiles, and the world's number one shipbuilding industry, to reshape manufacturing sites into intelligent industries." He added, "Bold and active investments will also be made in the aerospace and defense sectors, where we rank first in domestic production, as well as in energy such as small modular reactors (SMRs), batteries, and displays."

President Lee stated, "In particular, aerospace is a new growth engine industry that Yeongnam will cultivate," and announced, "The government plans to fully establish a South Coast aerospace industry belt that connects satellites, launch vehicles, future aircraft, and new space industries."

He emphasized, "We will actively support aerospace companies in the Yeongnam region, which will play a central role, so that they can grow into top-tier global firms," adding, "We will also mobilize all national capabilities to respond to the bold moves of companies that have decided on large-scale investments."

President Lee also said, "Today's national report will serve as a starting point for establishing Yeongnam as a firm 'leader in the super-gap of advanced industries' for South Korea," and added, "I deeply thank the business leaders from Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, Hanwha, LG, and Doosan for presenting a vision for large-scale investments that will change the future of Yeongnam."

The event was planned as a follow-up to the "3 Major Mega-Projects" announced on June 29 and was the third in the series, following national reports for the Southwest and Chungcheong regions.

President Lee pledged, "The large-scale investment plans announced today in the Yeongnam region, following those in the Southwest and Chungcheong regions, are in line with the government's '5-Pole, 3-Specialty Growth Engine' strategy." He added, "The government will do its utmost to break the vicious cycle of concentration in the capital area and regional extinction, and will surely achieve a 'great transformation of national territory' so that each region can stand as an agent of growth that cultivates its own industries."

He also promised, "To this end, I, as President, will personally examine and pay special attention to this," and added, "The central government will promote a bold package of support that combines tax, fiscal, financial, regulatory, and infrastructure measures. Local governments will also provide close support by processing various permits and approvals quickly."

He concluded by emphasizing, "Yeongnam, the cradle of South Korea's industry, will now be reborn as the birthplace of South Korea's super-gap advanced industries," and added, "I will run with you until the end so that Yeongnam's challenge finally leads to South Korea's growth."

(Photo: Provided by the Presidential Press Corps, Yonhap News)