The national industrial complexes in Asan, South Chungcheong Province; Chungju, North Chungcheong Province; and Masan, South Gyeongsang Province, are transforming their outdated image. The government has designated these three regions as 'smart green industrial complexes' and plans to support various projects for the digital and artificial intelligence transition of tenant corporations and for low-carbon conversion.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a meeting of the 'Old Base Industrial Complex Competitiveness Reinforcement Promotion Committee' at the Government Sejong City Hall on the 9th. The committee selected the following as candidates for the 'Old Base Industrial Complex Competitiveness Reinforcement Project Area': ▲ Asan Bugok, South Chungcheong Province; ▲ Chungju No. 1, North Chungcheong Province; and ▲ Masan Free Trade Zone industrial complex area.
Currently, there are 1,331 industrial complexes across the nation. Approximately 128,000 corporations belonging to these complexes supply 2.37 million jobs, playing a significant role in regional balanced development.
However, the aging of industrial complexes has led to outdated infrastructure, avoidance of employment by young talent, and a lack of cultural and convenience facilities, resulting in weakened competitiveness. As of 2025, there are 520 aged industrial complexes that have been under construction for over 20 years, accounting for 38% of the total.
To secure the sustainability of aging industrial complexes, the government has designated 26 competitiveness reinforcement project areas over a six-year period since 2019. Along with this, it has been actively supporting the promotion of digital and low-carbon initiatives, improvements in work and living conditions, and the expansion of cultural spaces by connecting projects from eight central ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, with local government projects.
The government is transforming the Asan Bugok national industrial complex, which was a traditional steel industrial complex, into a future-oriented eco-friendly innovation growth hub complex. To this end, it plans to focus on establishing green steel smart manufacturing infrastructure, smart energy platforms, and hydrogen industry cluster development projects.
The Chungju No. 1 General Industrial Complex, located near the Chungju Dam in North Chungcheong Province, will be developed as an eco-friendly production base. The plan includes focusing on establishing hydro-based green hydrogen infrastructure, creating specialized energy complexes, and providing support for corporations in the eco-friendly automobile parts cluster.
The Masan Free Trade Zone national industrial complex in South Gyeongsang Province is expected to be developed into a future advanced automobile new industry ecosystem. Additionally, it will promote improvements in autonomous manufacturing processes for future automobile parts and foster talent in core convergence technology innovation for future vehicles.
The government plans to refine the business plans of the selected candidate areas through expert consulting and will officially confirm them as competitiveness reinforcement project areas in early next year. It also intends to work on securing the budget for key projects that local governments are envisioning.