【Jinju, South】[New Year Special] ⑬ Jinju Mayor Cho Gyu-il “Will Support Growth of Public Institution-Linked Industries”

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Editor’s Note

This article examines the tangible impacts of South Korea’s regional development strategy, focusing on Jinju City’s transformation following the relocation of public institutions. It highlights economic growth and urban expansion, while also prompting consideration of the long-term social and infrastructural challenges inherent in such rapid, planned development.

[신년기획]⑬조규일 진주시장
Balanced Development’s Light and Shadow, Visiting the Innovation City

“Over the past decade since the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and 11 public institutions relocated, Jinju City has experienced significant change. 500 companies have moved into the Gyeongnam Innovation City, and the family accompaniment relocation rate has reached 69.7%. The expansion of urban demand has created an important foundation driving economic activity.”

Mayor Cho Gyu-il (62, photo), who has led the municipal administration of Jinju City during the 7th and 8th popularly elected terms while LH, the largest public institution under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is located there, has supported the growth of the Gyeongnam Innovation City.

Jinju City has achieved results such as cooperating with the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) and promoting the development of ultra-small satellites and the establishment of space environment testing facilities. This has laid the cornerstone for Jinju City’s growth as a hub for the national aerospace industry.

“To spread the economic effects from the public institution relocation into growth across industries, we will further strengthen fostering linked industries, corporate clustering, and collaboration with SMEs,” Mayor Cho said in an interview with ‘Donghaeng Media Sidae’ on the 31st. “We will enhance the city’s competitiveness so the Innovation City develops not just as an administrative center but into a structure that grows with companies.”

He further emphasized, “To complete the Innovation City, we need to expand residential infrastructure like education, healthcare, culture, and transportation and prepare new strategies to support corporate activities. We must achieve balanced urban development that integrates the living and economic zones of the Innovation City and the old downtown.”

Economy Dependent on Public Enterprises Must Achieve Self-Reliance

While the relocation of public institutions has injected vitality into the Innovation City’s economy, the general assessment is that, looking ahead, it cannot be said to have fully established a foundation for jobs and industries. For the Innovation City to grow sustainably, not just public institutions but companies, startups, and research institutes must form an ecosystem.

“How to naturally connect the functions of public institutions with industry. This is the most important part I’ve pondered while running the city administration. Only by solving this can the public institution relocation truly lead to industrial growth.”

Mayor Cho diagnosed, “Compared to the achievements of the first-phase Innovation City in creating regional growth hubs and improving residential conditions, corporate attraction has been insufficient.”

He explained, “To connect the technology and data held by public institutions with companies, we must meticulously prepare systems and frameworks. We need to revise the ‘Special Act on the Creation and Development of Innovation Cities’ and expand previously designated sites and industrial infrastructure to create conditions for additional corporate relocation.”

He added, “We will ensure these companies, with support from public institutions, can test technologies and products and connect them to sales. The field experience and data held by public institutions will be shared with companies, allowing startups to also grow their potential.”
Demand for Establishment of Dedicated Innovation City Policy Organization

The stance of many local governments is that the second-phase public institution relocation should be promoted centered on existing Innovation Cities, in accordance with legally defined principles. The Innovation City Act stipulates that public institutions should relocate to Innovation Cities as a principle.

Mayor Cho argued, “Existing Innovation Cities have built residential foundations and industrial infrastructure, and in a situation with policy continuity and execution capability, unnecessary duplicate investment should be prevented. The consistency of the Innovation City plan must not be shaken.”

He also emphasized that establishing a dedicated organization to manage and support public institution relocation and providing financial support are absolutely necessary.

He said, “Innovation Cities are the core of the national balanced development strategy, and if there is no organization overseeing this, important tasks like resolving regional disparities and industrial linkage will be difficult to properly promote.”
Urgent Need for Life Stability for Corporate/Startup Families

The structure of ‘public institution relocation first, infrastructure expansion later’ has reached its limits. To alleviate problems of inadequate residential environments like family separation on weekends and long-distance commuting, Jinju City has continued various efforts.

It has reformed the public transportation system connecting the Innovation City and the old downtown, opened bicycle roads, revitalized Sacheon Airport, operated children’s toy banks and community care centers, opened the Jinju City Lee Seongja Art Museum, and built other foundational facilities.

It has also worked to supplement infrastructure, such as relocating Daegok High School, to respond to the increasing educational demand within the Innovation City.

The complex cultural library construction currently being promoted by Jinju City is expected to further strengthen future educational services. These changes are projected to provide a better living environment for public institution employees and their families, as well as Jinju citizens.

“Nevertheless, I think there are shortcomings in meeting the expectations of public institution employee families and citizens. The Innovation City policy should recognize public institution relocation and residential infrastructure as integrated tasks, and financial support should be provided. Infrastructure must be designed from the planning stage of public institution relocation, and a system where the national government, local governments, and public institutions share joint responsibility must be established to achieve stability in residential spaces.”
Mayor Cho emphasized, “The most important factor companies consider when deciding to relocate is the life stability of their employees’ families. Expanding residential infrastructure is not easy through the efforts of local governments alone. Government support is absolutely necessary.”
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⏰ Published on: January 31, 2026