HONGSEONG — South Chungcheong Province Governor Park Soo-hyun said he will support 202 trillion won ($141 billion) in advanced-industry investment with what he called "lightning-speed administration," turning the province into a land of opportunity poised to become the country's second capital region while also developing it into a healing destination for residents of the Seoul metropolitan area.
Park held a news conference marking 100 days since the launch of his administration at the provincial government's main conference hall on the 12th, describing the period as "an intense and exhilarating time." He said he had been fully occupied with diagnosing the province's long-standing problems, listening to residents and laying the groundwork for a province where communication flows.
Citing a four-character phrase he coined himself — yangjong okjeon, or good seeds in fertile soil — Park said the past 100 days were "a time for selecting sturdy seeds and preparing very fertile fields in which to sow those good seeds."
Park said he had built an unconventional communication structure not previously seen in the provincial government, pointing to his first signed order on a plan to open the governor's office to residents and to a program called Chungnam Tonghaeng (literally "Chungnam Walking Together"), which delivers direct briefings on residents' proposals. "We have transformed into an administration that does not stop at hearing residents' voices but answers to the end — what we did, where things are blocked and how we will resolve them," he said.
The governor said seeds for an advanced-industry base had also been sown quickly. Through a lightning-speed administrative support system for mega projects worth 202 trillion won, he said, the groundbreaking for Samsung Electronics' Onyang campus was moved up by a month, and construction at Samsung's Asan Display City 2, stalled for five years, will resume next year.
"Samsung Display's promised 67 trillion won investment in Asan is becoming reality, a 1.2405 trillion won AI data center is coming to Dangjin, and we have drawn 1.5303 trillion won in investment from 27 companies across eight cities and counties — an unusual scale for just 100 days since taking office," Park said. He added that the province will support corporate investment to the end through what he called a three-power innovation drive covering electricity, water and manpower, the essential infrastructure for advanced industries such as artificial intelligence.
Park said the community's basic values and spiritual culture are the prime farmland on which the AI industry can grow soundly. "Based on the Chungcheong spirit of loyalty, filial piety and propriety, we will unite the hearts of residents and move toward the future through AI, the most modern of technologies," he said.
"Experts speak with one voice that the Chungcheong region has the highest potential to establish itself as a second capital region," Park said, adding that the province will respond to mega projects and pending issues such as roads and railways with the Chungcheong Metropolitan Union at the center.
He also said the province will create a hub for balanced growth by developing the area around KTX Gongju Station, complete the South Chungcheong innovation city by attracting 50 public institutions, and succeed in bringing in the integrated headquarters of state-run power companies and the main office of the National Information Resources Service, so that all 15 cities and counties can bloom in their own colors.
On the province's future vision, Park presented "Healing Chungnam" alongside the goal of becoming Korea's AI capital.
"It is now South Chungcheong's turn to be reborn, beyond the region, as a healing hub that gives all of Korea leisure and rest," Park said. "From the pristine nature where the West Sea and forests come together, to the historical culture infused with the breath of the Baekje kingdom, the deep rest offered by hot springs and religion, and nighttime performances that awaken the charm of old downtowns, we will prepare to offer a composite healing experience that weaves together all of South Chungcheong's assets."
Park closed by pledging to lay a foundation not just for the four years of his term but for the next 100 years of the province and of the country. "We will proceed with greater humility and a lower posture, but boldly and without hesitation," he said.