Korea's industrial complexes mark 62 years, investing W114.3b in AI manufacturing push

South Korea's industrial complexes, now in their 62nd year, are pushing to reinvent themselves as hubs for AI-driven manufacturing and balanced regional growth. The government and Korea Industrial Complex Corp. plan to expand the number of smart green industrial complexes to 27 this year and grow the network of AI Experience (AX) pilot complexes — where small and medium-sized enterprises can test and apply AI in manufacturing processes — from 10 last year to 13.

Korea Industrial Complex Corp. held the "62nd Industrial Complex Day Ceremony" at Exco in Daegu on Monday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted the event, with Korea Industrial Complex Corp., the Korea Industrial Complex Business Association and the Global Leading Companies Association serving as co-organizers. More than 1,000 people attended, including government and National Assembly officials, local government representatives, and companies and workers based in industrial complexes.

Industrial Complex Day is a statutory commemoration designated to honor the contributions of companies and workers in industrial complexes to national economic growth and industrial development. This year's event was held under the slogan "Regional strength toward the future, corporate ambition toward the world."

The ceremony also laid out the government's policy direction to transform industrial complexes from conventional production zones into industrial hubs encompassing AI-driven manufacturing, carbon neutrality, youth employment and regional growth. The plan links the government's "five poles, three special zones" balanced-growth policy, the K-Industrial Complex Grand Transformation Strategy and the Manufacturing AI Transformation initiative to industrial complex policy.

Korea Industrial Complex Corp. is investing about 114.3 billion won ($84.9 million) this year to build the foundation for AI transformation across industrial complexes. Smart green industrial complexes will expand to 27, while AX pilot complexes — where small and medium-sized enterprises can test and verify AI technology in manufacturing processes — will grow from 10 last year to 13. The corporation is also building out digital infrastructure, including 5G private networks, to enable real-time use of manufacturing data.

The focus of industrial complex policy is also broadening — shifting from simply supplying production facilities to supporting tenant companies' digital transformation, energy efficiency and improved working conditions. Alongside the spread of AI in manufacturing, Korea Industrial Complex Corp. is pursuing carbon neutrality transitions, the creation of youth-friendly industrial spaces, and support for tenant companies' overseas expansion and growth.

The ceremony also included awards for business leaders and workers who have contributed to the development of industrial complexes and the national economy. Jeong Jae-deok, CEO of Irim Electronics, received the Order of Industrial Service Merit (Silver Tower). Presidential commendations went to Kwon Sun-tak, CEO of Taesung Industries, and Kim Gang-hun, CEO of Ssangyoung Spinning. Lee Un-young, CEO of C&C Apparel, and Shin Young-su, CEO of Uwon Meditech, received prime ministerial commendations.

"Behind South Korea's industrialization and economic growth, there have always been the business leaders and workers who stood by the industrial complexes and the factory floor," said Lee Sang-hun, chairman of Korea Industrial Complex Corp. "We will press ahead with the grand transformation of industrial complexes, grounded in the voices from the field, so that they can leap forward as future industrial spaces where AI-driven manufacturing innovation and regional growth flourish and companies can grow even bigger."