Chungcheongnam-do is pooling its administrative capabilities to connect Asan's industrial, transportation, historical, cultural, and ecological resources—driving South Korea's high-tech sector—to foster future growth engines and ensure that growth directly translates into local jobs and an enriched daily life for citizens.

On the 22nd, Governor Park Soo-hyun carried out the fourth leg of the "Chungnam-Tong Journey" in Asan City, listening to citizens' voices and local pending issues while sharing the 9th popularly elected provincial administration's direction and vision for Asan's development.

The day's itinerary began with a meeting with Asan Mayor Oh Se-hyun, followed by a press conference, a visit to the city council, and a "Dialogue with Asan Citizens."

Following its stop in Gongju, the province also operated the "Governor's Direct On-Site Civil Petition Office" to consult on and accept citizens' daily inconveniences and requests, planning to systematically manage and report on the subsequent processing procedures and results.

At the Asan City Hall Civic Hall, attended by approximately 600 citizens and others, Governor Park explained the implementation status and directions for major regional issues and listened to field feedback regarding Asan's development and citizen life.

1. Strengthening High-Tech Industrial Infrastructure and Investment Support

First, the province will focus its administrative power on ensuring that Samsung's 113 trillion won investment plan in Asan is implemented without a hitch, while additionally expanding industrial infrastructure for semiconductors, displays, and artificial intelligence (AI) mobility.

Last July, Samsung Display announced a 67 trillion won investment in Asan, and Samsung Electronics announced a 46 trillion won investment in its Onyang Campus.

The province will cooperate with Asan City to rapidly support licensing procedures so that the Asan Display City 2 General Industrial Complex can break ground in November, and will continuously manage investment implementation status for the Samsung Electronics Onyang Campus, which completed its licensing procedures for groundbreaking last month.

Along with corporate investments, the province is also expanding R&D and verification infrastructure for high-tech industries.

For semiconductors, the province will promote supply chain self-sufficiency based on the Cheonan-Asan Semiconductor Materials, Parts, and Equipment Specialized Complex, and back local companies in strengthening technological competitiveness through the establishment of an advanced semiconductor back-end process testbed and AI optical semiconductor core component manufacturing infrastructure.

In the display sector, the province will respond to secure the preliminary feasibility study for the 520,000,000,000 won advanced display national research platform establishment project this year, laying the foundation for support ranging from technology development to verification and commercialization.

The AI Mobility Comprehensive Verification Complex is a project aimed at software-centric automobile commercialization, manufacturing optimization technology development, and verification facility construction. The province will join forces with relevant ministries, Asan City, and the Korea Automotive Technology Institute to pass project review screening and secure national funding.

2. Expanding Wide-Area Transportation Networks and Police Cluster Creation

The province is concentrating its administrative capabilities on expanding wide-area transportation networks to support high-tech industrial growth and enhance citizen commuting convenience.

The Metropolitan Express Railway (GTX)-C Cheonan-Asan extension will be reflected in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan and pursued as a national fiscal project in principle, strengthening coordination with local lawmakers and Cheonan-Asan cities.

The Asan-Sejong wide-area road network—connecting Jaboo-dong in Asan through Gwandeok-myeon in Cheonan to Jeongand-myeon in Gongju over 17.2 km—will actively be pushed for reflection in the 4th Happy City Wide-Area Transportation Improvement Countermeasure.

The KTX Cheonan-Asan Station Wide-Area Complex Transfer Center will be developed as a wide-area transportation hub equipped with a transfer system for convenient use of railways, buses, and taxis, alongside residential, lodging, business, and commercial facilities.

The province plans to strengthen linkages with nearby development projects such as the Chungnam International Exhibition and Convention Center, enhance project feasibility through opinions from private companies and expert consultation, and actively attract private investment.

The province is also actively backing the creation of a "Police Cluster" integrating police education and medical services.

Connecting with existing police educational foundations such as the Korean National Police University, Police Investigation Academy, and Police Human Resources Development Institute, the province will pool its total efforts into attracting the 2nd Central Police Academy, while gathering government budget and administrative support aiming for a police hospital opening in 2030.

The province anticipates that the establishment of a 300-bed police hospital will help expand police medical infrastructure while improving citizens' medical accessibility.

3. Expanding Cultural, Artistic, and Rest Spaces

To match the growth of an industrial city, administrative efforts are also being concentrated on expanding culture, arts, and relaxation spaces.

The Asan Arts Center is a complex cultural space equipped with a 1,200-seat main hall and a 350-seat small hall, and the province will cooperate to ensure the smooth progress of the construction project promoted by Asan City.

The "K-Culture Convergence Arena," where people can enjoy both sports and performances, will actively respond to government public contests based on basic concepts and feasibility study results, while also pursuing the attraction of domestic and foreign private investment based on Cheonan-Asan's superior wide-area transportation network and growth potential.

Asan Water Light Garden City will be created as a space where citizens can enjoy rest and healing in their daily lives by connecting forests, rivers, and park green spaces centered around the Singungho Local Garden.

Based on Asan City's basic plan establishment results, the province plans to support project promotion and back the laying of the foundation for Singungho Local Garden's promotion to a national garden through operation and quality management.

Governor Park stated, "I will do my utmost to connect Asan's strengths so that the growth of high-tech industries leads to jobs and regional economic vitality, and so that citizens can feel pride in living in Asan through a better daily life."

Governor Park plans to sequentially carry out the Chungnam-Tong Journey in Seocheon on the 29th, followed by Hongseong on the 6th of next month, Cheongyang on the 7th, Dangjin on the 8th, Boryeong on the 13th, Buyeo on the 15th, Seosan on the 19th, and Gyeryong on the 23rd.

The Chungnam-Tong Journey dialogue with citizens is broadcast live through the provincial official YouTube channel, "Chungnam TV," and citizens can also participate in the dialogue through real-live YouTube chats.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]