Gwangju AI Convergence District to Include a Site for Construction of AI Gifted High School- Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority Notices Development Plan Change. Site area 23,138m2- Clustering of AI Concentration Complex, AI Knowledge Industry Center, etc. Joint Growth of Education and Industry ExpectedThe Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority announced on February 14 the development plan change to enable the Gwangju AI Gifted High School within the AI Convergence District (Cheomdan 3 District) under construction in Oryong-dong, Buk-gu.The changed development plan for the AI Convergence District in the Gwangju Free Economic Zone includes (a) taking into account the AI Gifted High School site (23,138m2), (b) the location change of industrial facility sites, and (c) changing the major infrastructure plans related to it.The Gwangju AI Gifted High School will have a learning and research building with six levels (1 underground and 5 above ground) and a dormitory on a land area of 23,138m2 at 468 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu. The school purposes to open in 2027 and will operate as an affiliate of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST).When the AI Gifted High School is built within the AI Convergence Zone, the school is expected to become an important base for creating an innovative ecosystem for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and cultivating top-class scientific and technological talents who will lead innovation in advanced science and technology.In particular, around the AI Gifted High School are clustered AI concentrated complexes, such as the National AI Data Center, verification and startup facilities, the AI Knowledge Industry Center, and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), to realize the expectation of joint growth of the educational environment for the fostering of next-generation talents and cutting-edge industry.“The establishment of the AI Gifted High School within the Gwangju Free Economic Zone will create an innovative ecosystem in which the AI industry and education will be interconnected, and will further strengthen the region’s competitiveness in future industries,” said Seon Seok-ki, Commissioner of the Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority.Meanwhile, the AI Convergence District is an economic free zone designated for an area of 1.11 million square meters of the Buk-gu District of Gwangju, which is within the Cheomdan 3 sector where industrial areas for companies and residential areas for workers are under construction.

Gwangju Metropolitan City and 21 Companies Sign Investment Agreements Worth 164.9 Billion KRW- Core Strategic Industries, Including Automotive, AI, and Energy, Expected to Create 750 Jobs- Mayor Kang Ki-Jung: “Maximum support for leading companies in regional development and future industries.”Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor: Kang Ki-Jung) signed an investment agreement (MOU) with 21 companies among Gwangju’s core strategic industries, including the automotive, artificial intelligence (AI), energy, and medical industries, in the Business Room of City Hall on February 7, 2025.The city of Gwangju expects to achieve an investment amount of 164.9 billion KRW and create more than 750 jobs through this initiative.The signing ceremony, co-hosted by Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority, was attended by Mayor Kang Ki-Jung; Seon Seok-Ki, Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority Commissioner; Choi Tae-Jo, Director of the AI Industry Office; and representatives of the investment companies.A total of 21 companies signed the investment agreement, including 19 domestic companies (13 in Gwangju and six in other regions) and two overseas companies (one in the U.S. and one returning to Korea).The industries include nine companies in artificial intelligence (AI) convergence R five automobile-related companies, such as automobile parts and vehicle equipment manufacturing; three energy-related companies, such as ESS (energy storage system) manufacturing; and four other companies, including companies in the areas of medicine and beauty, optical equipment, and refrigeration equipment manufacturing; all of which belong to Gwangju’s core strategic industries.OTOM Co. Ltd., a leading company that started with medical X-ray technology and provides industrial parts detection CT and AI diagnostic solutions, plans to expand and relocate its factory to keep pace with the exponential growth of domestic and global portable/automated X-ray markets.DH Autoware Co. Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer of automotive electronics components established in 1979 and will relocate its factory in Qingdao, China, to Bitgreen Industrial Complex under this investment agreement. The company plans to invest 63 billion KRW to produce LCD panels and COF modules for automotive electronics for global markets. DH Autoware decided to relocate its Pyeongtaek plant to Gwangju in 2023, and the investment amounts to about 100 billion KRW, including the investment under this agreement.SOS Lab Co. Ltd. is a company that develops LiDAR sensors and related solutions for mobility and infrastructure, and will invest in the Cheomdan 3 R&D Zone and the Bitgreen Industrial Complex to build an AI and automotive industry R&D center and a LiDAR product production line.SMICE Research Institute Co. Ltd. is an IT convergence exhibition, convention, and event agency, which provides differentiated professional services by building customized solutions for exhibition conventions utilizing IT technology. To establish itself as a leading company in the field of exhibition convention solutions, SMICE will build an AI-based application software headquarters and research center in the Cheomdan 3 R&D Zone.RePlus Co. Ltd. is an R&D company in electrical and electronic engineering based in Hanam, Gyeonggi-do, whose main products include the RE100 brokerage trading platform, smart city platform, and the likes. It is a promising energy ICT company that has been selected as one of the 1000+ Super Gap Startups by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and also for the Gwangju Regional Hub Smart City Creation Project. It plans to relocate its headquarters to Gwangju to discover new business opportunities in the energy industry by utilizing a verification test bed and developing AI-based business models.Eco-Peace Co. Ltd. is a company specializing in manufacturing industrial robots for data-based integrated smart water quality management such as water purification robots and green algae removal robots. It has been recognized for its excellent water quality management technology by winning the CES Innovation Award in 2024 and 2025, the Edison Award Gold Medal in 2024, and the Ministry of Environment’s Excellent Water Management Company Award. In order to establish itself as an AI data-based smart water quality management company, the company will relocate its headquarters and research institute to the Cheomdan 3 R&D Zone.Caramella Co. Ltd. is an application software development company that is engaged in various IT and AI-related developments and businesses based on its ability to build fast web service software and excellent AI technology. It will move its headquarters and research center to Cheomdan 3 R&D Zone to expand its AI solution field.forSPACElab Co. Ltd. is a system software developer and provider with its headquarters in Seoul, Korea. It provides data solutions for the retail and restaurant industries. As a leading company in data-based solutions, the company has been selected as a supplier of the Data Voucher Support Project by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency. It was certified as a venture company in 2020 and selected as one of the National 1000 Innovative Companies 2022 by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Food and Rural Affairs, and is supporting the digital transformation of major restaurant companies. The company will establish a Gwangju branch office in the Cheomdan 3 R&D Zone for business management data analysis and solutions development.Ecovers Co. Ltd. is an application software development and supply company founded in Gwangju. It plans to establish a research center in the Cheomdan 3 R&D Zone to carry out research and development of AI vision inspectors.Unicompany Co. Ltd. is a company with excellent technology in the fields of AI IR (infrared) cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles, and industrial robots based on software technology. The company was certified as a venture company in 2021, selected as a Gwangju Joint Brand (GIEL, Gwangju Intelligent Electronics) in 2022, and selected as a company for defense venture agreement in 2023. It is promoting continuous research and development to establish an additional research center in the field of AI infrared cameras.VESSL AI Co. Ltd. is a company with technology in the field of AI integrated platforms headquartered in Seoul. It will move its headquarters to Gwangju to strengthen its research capabilities, including AI software development.AutoL Co. Ltd. is a LiDAR manufacturing company, based in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, which was spun off from Hyundai Motor’s venture-in-company program. It is the only company in Korea that produces automotive LiDAR sensors. The LiDAR technique can be used as a sensor for recognition of objects such as robots, agricultural machinery, and drones. The company will open a research center in Gwangju for product R&D and production.Duru Co. Ltd, which specializes in manufacturing specialty vehicles, plans to expand and relocate its operations to the Bitgreen Industrial Complex to enhance productivity and build R&D and production facilities to enter new businesses such as wing body and variable axles.ZEV Co. Ltd. based in Hwasung, Gyeonggi-do, is an automotive parts manufacturer, partnering with Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors, and Mobis. To expand its business into the energy sector, ZEV is building ESS (energy storage system) and EV (electric vehicle) research and manufacturing facilities in Gwangju to leap further as an energy specialist.Kuwotech Co. Ltd. is a dental medical device manufacturer that develops and produces core materials and components for dental uses based on precision processing technology. The company will make additional investments to grow into a domestic and international implant production and R&D hub.JK-INC Co. Ltd. is a company based in Busan that develops and produces customized automatic cosmetics manufacturing machines. Their products that can save manpower and time costs during the cosmetics manufacturing process. The company plans to open an R&D and manufacturing plant to establish a production base for the “skin MBTI” cosmetic product that came to life through AI and air appliance industry convergence.Gwangju Metropolitan City Mayer King Ki-Jung said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the companies that decided to invest in Gwangju despite the difficult economic situation. I hope that through this investment agreement, you will play a big role in rebuilding Gwangju’s core industries,” and also promised, “We will spare no effort to support the investing companies to develop the local community and become leading companies in future industry.”Meanwhile, Gwangju Metropolitan City is striving to create a business-friendly investment environment by providing customized information and services for companies, including resolving obstacles, administrative and financial support and listening to concerns from the investment attraction stage to ensure smooth settlement of the investing companies.

The Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority (GJFEZ) will participate in the "Invest Korea Summit 2024," held from November 6-8 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul, to showcase Gwangju's future mobility industry and engage in investment promotion activities.Hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the "Invest Korea Summit 2024" is an annual foreign investment promotion event attended by over 1,000 participants, including foreign investors, major corporations, and diplomatic representatives in Korea.This year's summit focuses on key future industries such as future mobility, bio, secondary batteries, and semiconductors, offering various investment-related programs, including business consultations and technology seminars.At the summit, GJFEZ will manage a promotional exhibit dedicated to future mobility, as well as organize networking opportunities for businesses and a site tour of the Future Automotive Industry District(Bit-green Industrial Complex), showcasing Gwangju’s investment potential.The Gwangju Future Mobility Promotional Pavilion will present the innovative economic vision of the National Future Car Industrial Complex, the specialized materials and components cluster, and Gwangju's robust mobility infrastructure. Additionally, it will highlight key players such as KIA Motors, Gwangju Global Motors, and local automotive parts manufacturers.A notable highlight this year includes a site tour for international business leaders to theFuture Automotive Industry District(Bitgreen Industrial Complex), offering a first-hand view of Gwangju’s investment environment. The tour will welcome representatives from a Canadian automotive parts company, a Swedish global investment consultancy, and journalists from the U.S., Japan, and China. Following the tour, participants will visit the Gwangju Biennale to experience the cultural and culinary appeal of the city.Seok-gi Sun, Commissioner of Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority, stated, “The on-site visit to the Gwangju Free Economic Zone is a valuable opportunity to showcase Gwangju's investment environment and vision for future mobility to international business leaders. We will continue to foster collaborations across various fields with promising overseas companies and solidify Gwangju’s position as a prime investment destination in Korea.

Gwangju FEZ Authority Operates Joint Promotion Booth at ‘KEET 2024’- Four tenant companies, including Tronics, participate to promote new technologies and explore market opportunitiesGwangju Free Economic Zone Authority (GJFEZ) will be operating the 'Gwangju Joint Promotion Booth' together with tenant companies of Gwangju Free Economic Zone at the '2024 Korea Energy & Environmental Technology Expo (KEET 2024),' held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center from August 28 to 30.Responding to the demands of tenant companies expressed through surveys and the tenant company council, GJFEZ has been operating a joint promotion booth since last year to support the promotion of tenant companies and the development of new market opportunities.At this year’s event, promising companies in the energy and environment sectors will participate, showcasing their prototypes and new technologies. In addition, the booth will host consultations for business cooperation, including technical alliances and partnerships with buyers and related companies visiting the promotion booth. Notably, GJFEZ's Project Manager for Investment Promotion will be stationed at the booth to provide consultations on investment opportunities in the Free Economic Zone.The participating companies include a total of four tenant companies from the Future Automotive Industry District(Bitgreen Industrial Complex) and Smart Energy Industry District(Energy Valley): Tronics, Samdo Environment, Isaac Energy, and Richlux.Tronics, a specialist in utilizing rapidly advancing IT technology to connect people and things through Internet of Things (IoT) and Energy Management System (EMS) technology, will introduce its e-IoT* Smart Public Lighting Integrated Control System, which collects real-time human and environmental data to offer a proactive disaster response system.*e-IoT: Internet of Things technology in the energy sector that allows various services by collecting and managing information between devices attached to power and energy facilitiesSamdo Environment, a specialist in plasma technology products such as 'Plasma Generators for Agriculture and Livestock' and 'Plasma Odor Removers,' will present its Plasma Deodorizer at the expo, designed to remove odors and sterilize spaces like livestock farms and compost facilities, which generate large amounts of odor-causing substances.Isaac Energy, a promising company in renewable energy specializing in solar thermal and photo-voltaic installations, will exhibit and demonstrate its Eco-friendly Solar Water Heating Auxiliary System, which absorbs solar heat to heat water without electricity or gas, thus producing zero carbon emissions.Richlux, a company leading the smart lighting market, designs and manufactures emotional lighting systems that reduce energy consumption by linking LED lighting and various sensors. At this expo, the company will showcase a prototype LED floodlight designed to promote plant growth.Seok-gi Sun, Commissioner of Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority, stated, "Through this exhibition, we aim to promote the prototypes and new technologies of tenant companies in Gwangju Free Economic Zone, and we will provide full support to foster business collaboration among companies. We will continue to fulfill our role as a support institution to help these companies establish themselves quickly and continue growing in the region.