Marking 30 years of local autonomy, the "Republic of Korea Local Era Expo" will open on the 19th at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center in Ulju County, Ulsan.
This year's expo, under the theme K-BALANCE, is scheduled to run for three days through the 21st. According to the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development and others, this year's theme encompasses harmony between tradition and modernity, coexistence of industry and environment, and consolidation between people and regions. It also signifies a sustainable, well-balanced future for the Republic of Korea that the Local Era Expo pursues.
The Local Era Expo is the nation's largest comprehensive policy fair that shares the government's vision for autonomy, decentralization, and balanced growth, as well as regional innovation cases. It was first held in Busan in 2022 by integrating the previous "Balanced Development Expo" and "Local Autonomy Expo."
Ulsan, where this year's expo will be held, emphasized in the host city selection process that it stands as a success case of the Republic of Korea's popularly elected local autonomy, which marks its 30th anniversary this year.
After the integration of Ulsan city and counties in 1995, Ulsan expanded its autonomous authority with its elevation to a metropolitan city in 1997. Based on industries such as automobiles, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals, it was designated in 1962 as the nation's first specific industrial district. More recently, it has been pursuing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.
In particular, this year's expo is the first to be held under the new administration. While introducing the Lee Jae-myung administration's policies on autonomy, decentralization, and national balanced growth, it is planned as a participatory and communicative event where the public can directly see, hear, experience, and enjoy together.
Government ministries, 17 local governments, and offices of education plan to exhibit their best practices in balanced growth policies, focusing on experiential content. A special pavilion commemorating the 30th anniversary of local autonomy and a basic society pavilion showcasing regional best practices related to a basic society will be set up. Tours are also planned to regional attractions such as the Bangudae Petroglyphs, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and to industrial sites including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Motor, and S-Oil.
Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-kyum said, "Through the Local Era Expo, we will promote Ulsan's proud past, dynamic present, and future vision as an international city to the outside world," adding, "We will prepare thoroughly so the expo can be held safely and successfully."
Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development Chairperson Kim Kyeong-soo said, "Through the Republic of Korea Local Era Expo, we will begin, together with the public, the journey of balanced growth in which regions take center stage," adding, "When regions achieve consolidation and grow together, the entire Republic of Korea will become stronger and move toward a more sustainable future."