Chungcheongnam-do

▲ A ceremony for the declaration of the vision for Chungnam Innovation City

Governor Yang Seung-jo declared, “A bold initiative of Chungnam, rising as the center of Pan-Yellow Sea region, is launched.”

Celebrated the success of attracting Chungnam Innovation City as an opportunity for harmony and happiness for the 2.2 million provincial residents promoting balanced regional and national development

Governor Yang Seung-jo declared, “A bold effort for Chungnam, emerging as the pivot of the Pan-Yellow Sea zone, going beyond the center of Korea, has now started,” and he shared the future development vision of the province based on Chungnam Innovation City.

On November 12, the provincial government hosted a ceremony for the declaration of the vision for Chungnam Innovation City at Nammun Plaza with governor Yang and 1,000 provincial residents in attendance.

The event is to celebrate the designation of Chungnam Innovation City that was achieved with the solidarity of 2.2 million provincial residents and to make a commitment to the commencement of efforts of Chungnam, rising as the center of the Pan-Yellow Sea region, as well as working towards balanced national development.

The ceremony included a report on the designation of Chungnam Innovation City, recognition of persons of national merit, celebratory performances, congratulatory remarks of Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun; Lee Nak-yon, chairman of Democratic Party of Korea; Kim Jong-in, chairman of Emergency Planning Committee of People Power Party, and the Governor’s declaration of the Chungnam vision.

18 persons of merit were recognized by Governor Yang including members of the National Assembly Hong Mun-pyo and Kang Hun-shik who led efforts for the designation of Chungnam Innovation City, Yu Byeong-guk, member of the provincial council, Chun Young-han, honorary chairman of Chungnam Development Committee, Lee Sang-seon, president of Chungnam Solidarity for Decentralization, Hwang Myeong-seon, president of National Association of Mayors, Na So-yeol, the former head of TFT for the designation of Chungnam Innovation City, Shin An-cheol, former president of the Chungnam Association of Korean Senior Citizens, and Lee Gyeong-ho, the former president of Provincial Federation of the Fire Volunteer Brigade.

At the ceremony, Governor Yang said with pride, in his declaration of the Chungnam vision, “Chungnam Innovation City’s designation is the culmination of the fervent wishes of 2.2 million provincial residents as well as one of the core tasks of the Chungnam provincial government, and this is the achievement of the Chungnam residents.”

Governor Yang said, “With this designation, Chungnam will march higher and farther with bigger strides towards being the hub city of Pan-Yellow Sea region, going beyond the center of Korea, and this new leap will ultimately bring about the further development of Korea.”

He continued to say, “With the Chungnam Innovation City as a pivot, we will develop five zones ？ (i) a smart new industrial cluster in Seosan, Dangjin, Asan, and Cheonan; (ii) a marine resources-based new industrial belt in Seocheon, Boryeong and Taean; (iii) a national innovation cluster for hydrogen industry in Hongseong and Yesan; (iv) a K-bio material industry belt in Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang; and (v) an industry belt for national defense support systems and local resources utilization in Nonsan, Gyeryong, and Geumsan.

Governor Yang stressed that the Chungnam New Deal will be implemented preemptively. He plans to build a marine garden in the Garorim Bay, restore reclaimed land in Bunamho Lake, construct an international environmental zone in Seocheon brownfield, create a hydrogen city and smart green city, and transform the local energy industry into an eco-friendly energy industry.

He believes that with the15 cities and counties of the province, growing and cooperating with unique characteristics, the province envisions a new future for Chungnam with balance and harmony, and Chungnam Innovation City will be at the forefront of efforts towards the balanced development of the Republic of Korea.

Governor Yang added, “To fulfill this vision, we will build more solid infrastructures to complete national development, including the West Coast Smart Highway, a central zone east-west railway, the west coast KTX, and a private airport at the Seosan Military Airport.

He intends to establish Chungnam as the hub of the nation by constructing a megacity in the Chungcheng region, comprising Chungnam Innovation Urban Zone, Cheonan and Asan Smart City Zone, and a National Administration City Zone.

Governor Yang said, “The Pan-Yellow Sea region, where Korea, China, and Japan have shared historical and cultural traditions for thousands of years is now the hub of world peace and harmony as well as economic prosperity, and we in Chungcheongnam-do are dedicated to ensuring our province is the pivot of the Pan- Yellow Sea region.

The vision declaration ceremony was held on and off-line due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the off-line ceremony was conducted while observing COVID-19 prevention guidelines: participants wore masks, entered their names on the visitor list, sterilizers were placed at the entrance, the number of participants was limited, and social distances were maintained.