Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province participated in the 2024 Korea Local Era Expo. Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province participated in the “2024 Korea Local Era Expo” held at Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon from the 6th to the 8th.
This event has been held every year since 2004 and is intended to promote local policies such as balanced development and promote communication. Currently, it has established itself as the largest regional event in Korea, co-hosted by the Local Times Committee, 6 central ministries, and 17 cities and provinces.
At this expo, Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province set up a Jeonbuk Exhibition Hall with the theme of ‘100 Years’ Plan, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Blooming in the Future’, along with Jeonbuk’s future development vision such as Saemangeum and the agricultural and life industry, and Gochang Wellness Town, an excellent example of the Local Era Committee. We plan to promote the healing tourism industry using tourism resources.
The main concept of the Jeonbuk Exhibition Hall is the 3,000 Hanji flowers decorated on the front, embodying Jeonbuk’s vision for the next 100 years by embodying tradition and innovation through Hanji, which boasts a thousand-year history, and demonstrating that Jeonbuk will lead the future of the Republic of Korea. Expressed commitment and will.
Additionally, the exhibition hall offers special experience programs for visitors. Visitors can look at Jeonbuk’s healing tourist attractions and representative tourist attractions through a touch screen, and take a moment where Jeonbuk’s tradition and modernity come together through instant AR photo taking with Hanji flowers.
In addition, traditional liquor and snacks, specialties of Jeonbuk’s 14 cities and counties, will also be given away, providing an opportunity to experience Jeonbuk’s rich cultural resources.
Kim Gwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, said, “Through this expo, we would like to share with many people the vision of Jeonbuk’s 100-year plan and let them know that Jeonbuk’s cultural heritage and future-oriented innovation can come together as one.” He added, “Jeonbuk is the Republic of Korea. “I will do my best to play a central role in preparing for this new century,” he said.
This year’s event will see a significant expansion in the participation of government ministries, and new programs that have never existed before will be implemented. At the same time, various side events such as Chuncheon Coffee Festa, Gangwon Bio Expo, and Chuncheon Startup Expo are held, and many visitors from all over the country are expected to visit.
Meanwhile, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province is focusing on supporting smart manufacturing, one of the food tech industry sectors, to expand digital transformation of agricultural and food companies.
Approximately 87% of agricultural and food companies in Jeonbuk are small businesses with sales of less than KRW 1 billion and less than 10 employees, and are experiencing difficulties such as manpower shortage and lack of facilities. Accordingly, Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province decided to support cutting-edge manufacturing technology, such as automation of the food manufacturing process and strengthening quality control, and announced a step-by-step customized support plan.
Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province’s smart manufacturing support is divided into three stages and aims to foster 200 companies by 2029. The first stage is a ‘computerization’ process that converts manual records into a computerized system, and a total of 200 companies are targeted through digital conversion of basic production information.
In the second stage, ‘Digitalization’, the introduction of process automation is supported using supplier-centered ICT technology, and is conducted for 80 companies. The final third stage is ‘digital transformation’, which uses big data to predict demand and increase product productivity, and a total of 40 companies will receive support.
To this end, Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province is changing the existing agricultural and food company assistance project to support smart manufacturing machines and facilities. The target projects are three projects: ▲customized support project for agricultural and food companies, ▲support project for start-up food companies, and ▲smart HACCP support project.
In particular, in the case of the smart HACCP support project, automated equipment that monitors critical control points (CCP) will be introduced instead of the existing HACCP certification consulting, and training and consulting in connection with the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute will also be provided.
In addition, the smart manufacturing system will be applied to ▲small-scale food material and semi-processed industry support project ▲support project for nurturing representative companies in the agricultural and life field ▲food company start-up program support project to help local companies lay the foundation for self-reliance through the introduction of new technology. plan.
In addition, in connection with Jeonbuk Techno Park’s ‘Jeonbuk Smart Manufacturing Innovation Project’, which supports smart factory construction, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ ‘Smart Manufacturing Innovation Support Project’, agri-food companies that need cutting-edge technology will receive wider support. We plan to make it possible.
To this end, Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province held a briefing session for city and county officials to share the business plan, and plans to prepare final implementation guidelines within December by reflecting on-site opinions and begin full-scale implementation of the project in 2025.
Choi Jae-yong, director of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province’s Agriculture, Life and Livestock Industry Bureau, said, “Through food tech innovation, we will accelerate the digital transformation of agricultural and food companies, resolve manpower shortages, and improve productivity at the same time.” He added, “Jeonbuk can establish itself as a center of smart manufacturing.” “We will not spare any effort to introduce cutting-edge manufacturing technology and provide various support to ensure this.”
Economy Queen Reporter Choi Hana
Interview between Time.news Editor and Expert on Jeonbuk’s Participation in the 2024 Korea Local Era Expo
Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this special edition of Time.news. Today, we’re thrilled to have with us Dr. Min Joon-seok, an expert in local development and agriculture, to discuss Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province’s involvement in the 2024 Korea Local Era Expo. Dr. Min, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Min: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here!
Editor: Let’s jump right into it. Jeonbuk participated in the Korea Local Era Expo held recently in Chuncheon. What does this event mean for local provinces like Jeonbuk?
Dr. Min: The Korea Local Era Expo is a significant platform for provinces to showcase their development plans and foster regional collaboration. Since its inception in 2004, it has grown into the largest regional event in Korea. For Jeonbuk, participation is not just about showcasing existing achievements but also about sharing a vision for balanced development and sustainable growth.
Editor: Jeonbuk set up an exhibition hall themed ‘100 Years’ Plan, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Blooming in the Future’. That’s quite a forward-thinking concept. Could you elaborate on this theme?
Dr. Min: Absolutely! This theme reflects Jeonbuk’s commitment to integrating tradition with innovation. The display of 3,000 Hanji flowers symbolizes a thousand-year heritage, representing Jeonbuk’s aspirations for the next century. It’s a statement that honors the past while clearly setting a vision for future progress, particularly in areas like wellness tourism and sustainable agricultural practices.
Editor: Speaking of wellness tourism, I noticed that Jeonbuk is planning to promote its healing tourism industry. How does that integrate into their broader development goals?
Dr. Min: The healing tourism sector is rapidly gaining traction globally. Jeonbuk is strategically positioning itself by promoting its natural resources and cultural experiences. This aligns with their larger goal of developing a comprehensive tourism package that not only attracts visitors but also fosters local economies and the agricultural sector. It’s a perfect blend of cultural heritage and modern tourism trends.
Editor: In terms of agriculture, you mentioned that Jeonbuk is focusing on smart manufacturing. How crucial is this shift for local food companies, especially considering that 87% of them are small businesses?
Dr. Min: This shift to smart manufacturing is vital. With many agricultural businesses facing challenges such as labor shortages and lack of advanced facilities, implementing digital transformation through automation and data analytics can significantly increase efficiency and productivity. Jeonbuk’s three-stage plan to aid 200 companies by 2029 is an ambitious yet necessary initiative that can elevate these small businesses to compete in the modern marketplace.
Editor: The phased support plan you mentioned sounds comprehensive. Can you explain the three stages involved in this initiative?
Dr. Min: Certainly! The first stage, ‘computerization’, focuses on converting manual processes into a digital system, which is essential for modern efficiency. The second stage, ‘digitalization’, introduces process automation through ICT technology—this is where significant improvements in production efficiency can be realized. ‘digital transformation’ incorporates big data analytics to predict market demand, ultimately boosting productivity and enabling these businesses to adapt to changing conditions. Each stage is tailored to ensure that these small enterprises receive the necessary support at their level of capability.
Editor: Jeonbuk’s commitment to the smart HACCP support project is intriguing. How does this impact food safety and quality?
Dr. Min: The implementation of automated equipment to monitor critical control points addresses food safety concerns head-on, moving beyond traditional consulting approaches. This not only enhances the safety standards of food products but also instills consumer confidence. Training programs in collaboration with the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute further reinforce this commitment, ensuring that local businesses adhere to high-quality production standards.
Editor: As we wrap up, what role do you see Jeonbuk playing in the broader context of Korea’s regional development over the next century?
Dr. Min: Jeonbuk is poised to be a leader in showcasing how a region can successfully blend heritage and modern technological advancements. By putting a strong emphasis on sustainable practices, smart manufacturing, and wellness tourism, Jeonbuk can serve as a model for other regions in Korea and beyond. If they achieve their goals outlined in the 100-year plan, they could significantly contribute to Korea’s overall growth, both economically and culturally.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Min, for your insights on Jeonbuk’s initiatives and their implications for the future. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
Dr. Min: Thank you for the opportunity! I’m excited to see how Jeonbuk continues to evolve and lead in the coming years.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay with us for more engaging discussions on local developments and innovations!