President Lee Thanks Chairman Chung for His Decision: “Chairman Chung Ju-yung Would Be Proud”
Hyundai Motor Company to Establish Robot, AI, and Component Cluster in Saemangeum
Government to Lower Barriers for Regulatory and Administrative Support, Fully Back Corporate Regional Expansion as a Model Case.
“[Edaily’s Hwang Byung-seo reporting] On the 27th, President Lee Jae-myung expressed his sincere gratitude to Chairman Chung Eui-sun and the employees of Hyundai Motor Company for making a significant decision,” stating, “Chairman Chung Ju-yung would also be proud.”
President Lee attended the “Saemangeum Robot, Hydrogen, AI City Investment Agreement Ceremony” held at the Gunsan Saemangeum Convention Center in North Jeolla Province on the same day. At the event, President Lee highlighted, “The biggest challenge for South Korea is sustainable growth, and the biggest obstacle to that is the concentration in the metropolitan area.” He emphasized, “The government alone cannot lead balanced regional development; ultimately, companies must establish themselves in the regions.”
He particularly noted, “This investment by Hyundai Motor Group is a critical turning point for changing the economic landscape of the Honam region and securing global competitiveness in the domestic AI and robotics industries,” adding, “Outstanding talents from home and abroad will gather in Saemangeum, North Jeolla, and the Honam region, providing local youths with opportunities to pursue their dreams without leaving for the metropolitan area.”
President Lee explained that with its vast land area—about 140 times the size of Yeouido—abundant sunlight, and solid transportation and logistics infrastructure, Saemangeum will transform into a future city through this investment. It will feature a green hydrogen-based eco-friendly energy facility, AI data center, robot manufacturing plant, and component cluster.
Additionally, he announced government support plans: “We will meticulously ensure that corporations and their employees do not feel inconvenienced in their residential conditions, drastically lowering the barriers for regulatory and administrative support,” and “This investment will be a model case for encouraging corporate regional expansion nationwide.” He further expressed, “I am deeply grateful to Chairman Chung Eui-sun and the employees of Hyundai Motor Group for their bold decision.”
With this investment, Hyundai Motor Group plans to establish a large-scale robot manufacturing plant and component cluster, as well as an AI data center in Saemangeum, aiming to build a mass production system in the robotics and eco-friendly energy sectors for the first time in South Korea.
On the same day, Hyundai Motor Group also signed an “Investment Agreement (MOU) for Developing Advanced Robot, Hydrogen Industries, and Establishing an AI Hydrogen City in Saemangeum” with the government and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. Through this agreement, Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest a total of 9 trillion won starting in 2026 to create a future industrial hub across a 1.124 million square meter area in Saemangeum. This aims to secure next-generation growth engines while simultaneously boosting domestic competitiveness in the robotics and AI sectors and transitioning to a hydrogen ecosystem. A representative from Hyundai Motor Group stated, “This investment is expected to create an economic impact of approximately 16 trillion won and directly or indirectly generate jobs for around 71,000 people,” adding, “It will contribute to South Korea securing a leading position in future industries.”
Jang Jae-hoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor, expressed, “I am pleased that Hyundai Motor Group has signed an investment agreement in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province,” and stated, “The next-generation industrial paradigm beginning here will serve as the central hub for designing the future of not just Jeollabuk-do but all of South Korea.” He continued, “We consider it a great honor to participate in the development of the Saemangeum AI City project, which will leap forward as a national innovation growth hub concentrated on hydrogen production, AI data centers, and the robot ecosystem, all based on abundant renewable energy.”
Vice Chairman Jang stated, “We will ensure that the AI Hydrogen City becomes a symbol of South Korea’s future growth and sets the standard for future exports of global smart cities,” adding, “Under the corporate value of progress for the better, Hyundai Motor Group will fully take responsibility and fulfill its role, and we ask for your active support.”