CHEONAN — Chungnam Province has unveiled an aggressive regional development blueprint for Cheonan, prioritizing high-tech semiconductor growth, advanced artificial intelligence infrastructure, and a major overhaul of local transit networks.

Governor Park Su-hyun visited Cheonan on Tuesday for the province's ongoing "Chungnam-Tong" outreach initiative, meeting with local officials, journalists, and roughly 800 residents at Cheonan City Hall’s Bongseo Hall to discuss regional progress.

Boosting Advanced Manufacturing and Research A central pillar of the province's strategy involves reinforcing Cheonan’s semiconductor ecosystem. Following last September’s designation of seven industrial complexes across Cheonan and Asan as specialized zones for semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, Chungnam plans to pour resources into advanced packaging and testing technologies to fortify the local supply chain.

Furthermore, administrative steps are underway for the Seonghwan livestock station site—recently designated as a candidate for a new national industrial complex—with officials preparing a preliminary feasibility study in collaboration with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).

The province is also partnering with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to design an AI-specialized pilot city in the Cheonan-Asan region, aimed at integrating practical artificial intelligence applications into everyday civilian life. Additionally, local authorities are gearing up for the competitive bidding process to host the prestigious National Institute of Dental Medicine, leveraging regional assets like Dankook University's dental hospital infrastructure and land near KTX Cheonan-Asan Station.

Expanding Regional Transit and Infrastructure To tackle commuting and logistical challenges, provincial leadership is actively lobbying the national government to extend the GTX-C metropolitan express railway line to Cheonan and Asan as a state-funded project. Officials are also pushing to include the central region's East-West Cross-Country Railway in the upcoming 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan.

Local infrastructure projects are also moving forward on schedule. The expansion and remodeling of Cheonan Station, which commenced last April, remains on track for completion by May 2028. Meanwhile, plans for the KTX Cheonan-Asan Station Metropolitan Complex Transfer Center—designed to expand parking and transit platforms—are advancing toward a business operator recruitment phase following consultations with the private sector.

"We are committed to translating Cheonan’s robust industrial foundation into sustainable economic growth and quality jobs," Governor Park noted during the citizens' assembly. "By working hand-in-hand with the city, we will ensure residents experience direct, tangible improvements in their daily commutes and quality of life."

Governor Park will conclude the current round of the "Chungnam-Tong" tour in Yesan County on November 13, with the final town hall session streamed live via the official provincial YouTube channel, Chungnam TV.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]