▲ Cheonsu Bay Aviation

The reclaimed lands of Cheonsu Bay A and B districts in Seosan and Taean, Chungcheongnam-do, are rapidly emerging as a future food source hub.
 
Moving beyond rice cultivation for food self-sufficiency, the area is aspiring to become a central hub for future industries in South Korea, such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
 
According to the province on the 11th, Chungcheongnam-do under the 8th popularly elected administration is promoting several initiatives in the Seosan and Taean A and B districts. These include establishing a runway for UAV research and development, creating a testing and evaluation infrastructure for core components of green Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Advanced Aerial Vehicles (AAV), and developing a global horti-complex. Efforts are also being made to attract the Seosan branch of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB).
 
Green Light for UAV Research and Development Runway
 
The UAV research and development runway received a green light following President Yoon Suk-yeol's strong support for the project. This facility, planned by the Agency for Defense Development, will include a runway, control center, and research buildings in the Taean B district.
 
During the "Public Forum with the President" held at the Seosan Air Force 20th Fighter Wing on the 26th of last month, President Yoon mentioned that a preliminary feasibility study is underway for the UAV research and development runway in Taean. He expressed his intention to "proceed swiftly once the preliminary study is completed."
 
Governor Kim Tae-heum, in a press conference held on the 27th of last month, stated, "With the approval for the preliminary feasibility study, the establishment of the UAV research and development runway in Taean is anticipated to attract defense companies such as Korean Air and Hyundai, thereby boosting the regional economy."
 
30 Billion Won in National Funding Allocated for 'UAM-AAV Center'
     
The foundation for testing and evaluating key components of green UAM-AAVs will be established on the research facility site within the Seosan Bio-Wellbeing Research Special Zone in the B district. This project will invest 32 billion won over five years, aiming for completion by 2028.
 
The project involves setting up an infrastructure to assess the performance and mass production capabilities of core components for hydrogen-electric UAM-AAVs, including hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, autonomous flight controllers, and takeoff/landing emergency support systems.
 
Specific aspects of the project include the establishment of a parts testing and evaluation center, equipment installation, support for businesses, and workforce training.
 
The project has secured 3 billion won from the government budget this year for equipment costs and is set to apply for a grant from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in the first half of the year.
 
To foster the AAM industry in the Seosan B district, a collaboration has been established with Hyundai Motor Group.

Agreement with Hyundai Motor Company to Foster Advanced Air Mobility
 
On May 5th, Governor Kim Tae-heum signed a "Memorandum of Understanding for the Development of New Industries, Including Green Energy-Based Advanced Air Mobility," with Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group, who attended on behalf of President Shin Jae-won. The signing took place in the situation room at the provincial government office.
 
According to the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group will prioritize evaluating the use of the Seosan and Taean areas for new industry facilities, including urban air mobility (UAM). They will also collaborate on developing urban air mobility utilizing aviation facilities in the Seosan and Taean regions.
 
The province will support the development of the hydrogen-based AAM industry and foster the green hydrogen industry in the B district area in conjunction with Chungnam's Hydrogen Energy Transition Free Regulatory Zone and regional innovation clusters.
 
At the signing ceremony, Governor Kim stated, "The Seosan reclaimed land embodies Chairman Chung Ju-yung's pioneering spirit and is a site of dreams and challenges toward food self-sufficiency. His pioneering spirit will once again be realized in Seosan through the development of advanced industries such as hydrogen-based future air mobility."
 
Establishment of Public-Private Collaboration and Administrative Promotion System
 
A public-private collaboration and administrative promotion system has been established to advance projects such as UAM and AAM in the A and B districts.
 
The province has formulated a basic plan through the "Chungcheongnam-do UAM Industry Development Strategy" study and signed agreements with Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Construction, and Hyundai Glovis to build a hydrogen fuel-based testing and research environment.
 
In October of last year, the province also entered into a "Memorandum of Understanding for the Promotion and Commercialization of Ultra-Wide Area UAM Projects in the Chungcheong Region" with Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, SK Telecom, and TMAP Mobility.
 
In the same month, a working group to foster the AAM industry in Chungnam was formed, comprising 33 experts from public and private sectors, academia, and research institutes. This included representatives from Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, Korea Aerospace Industries Association, and local universities.
 
Additionally, a task force (TF) was created involving related departments, private companies, and central government agencies to share progress and discuss cooperation strategies.
 
In June of last year, four areas in Seosan and Taean were designated as special drone liberalization zones.
 
A provincial official stated, "Chungnam has a well-developed manufacturing industry base, providing significant potential for the future aviation industry. By selecting hydrogen fuel cells and power generation industries as future new industries, we also have an excellent foundation for eco-friendly fuels. We aim to establish an unmanned and manned aviation industry cluster centered on the Cheonsu Bay reclaimed land, creating a new industrial ecosystem that will serve as a new growth engine for Korea."
 
Promotion of Large-Scale Smart Farm Development
 
The Global Horti Complex, aimed at restructuring agriculture into a profitable future industry and encouraging the influx of young farmers, will be developed with an investment of 330 billion won on a 515,000 square meter site by May 2027.
 
The core direction of development is 'GREEN & DIGITAL,' with the goal of creating a 'Smart Farm Agro-Industry Convergence Complex.'
 
Within the Global Horti Complex, the smart farm complexes spanning 236,000 square meters and 152,000 square meters will feature state-of-the-art agricultural facilities and systems, enabling data-driven crop production.
 
The site will also include a Rural Convergence Experience Complex, an entrepreneurial farming education facility offering Dutch educational programs, an experience exhibition hall featuring a farm market, and modular accommodation facilities.
 
To develop the Global Horti Complex, the province signed a memorandum of understanding with investment companies in November of last year. This year, the province plans to apply for a regional revitalization fund, establish a special purpose company (SPC), and pursue agreements with domestic and international companies, as well as solicit international cooperation projects.
 
Accelerating Efforts to Attract the Seosan Branch of KRIBB
 
To attract the Seosan branch of KRIBB, plans are underway to re-challenge the feasibility study within this year.
 
The Seosan branch is planned to be established within the Seosan Bio-Wellbeing Research Special Zone in the B district, with an investment of 39.6 billion won. It will be constructed on a 30,000 square meter site, with a total floor area of 9,280 square meters, and is expected to be completed by 2026.
 
Here, the key initiatives include △ the development of green vaccine-based technologies, △ the development of next-generation technology-based transgenic animals, △ the creation of high-value-added bio-materials using microalgae, △ the development of fundamental technologies to enhance animal productivity, △ the development of core technologies to increase eco-friendly crop productivity, △ the development of green bio-technologies to improve environmental pollution, △ the strengthening of commercialization of green bio-technologies, and △ the activation of support for regional green bio-companies.
 
Furthermore, with the lifting of the military protection zone around the 20th Fighter Wing located near the Seosan A district, it is expected that the province will receive support for the development of the aviation industry, which includes the promotion of the light aircraft MRO industry, the establishment of an airport-type free trade zone, and the attraction of unmanned aerial vehicle mass production companies, all in connection with Seosan Airport.
 
Acceleration of the Development of the Aviation Industry Linked to Sosan Airport
 
The establishment of transportation infrastructure in AB District is also gaining momentum.
 
Sosan Airport will open as originally planned in 2028, through project cost adjustments and the identification of aviation demand.
 
President Yoon Suk-yeol, during a public forum, stated, "The construction of Sosan Civilian Airport has taken its first step with the inclusion of design costs in this year's government budget." He further emphasized, "The 20th Fighter Wing is the largest Air Force base in our country, and its runway, which has protected the skies of Korea, will now expand its role to become the runway for Chungnam's economic takeoff," thereby lending strong support to the airport's construction.
 
In June of last year, the completion of the Bunam Lake crossing road, which connects the Taean Corporate City and the Sosan Bio-Wellness Research Special Zone, significantly improved accessibility between these two regions.
 
This road, a four-lane highway stretching 610 meters from Songam-ri in Taean-eup to Galma-ri in Buseok-myeon, Sosan City, was constructed with an investment of approximately 36.6 billion KRW, starting in February 2020.
 
On the 11th, Governor Kim Tae-heum expressed a strong commitment to proactive measures during a meeting with department heads, stating, "Revolutionary changes in the future mobility industry are taking place in Chungnam, and Cheonsuman AB District is on the brink of a monumental transformation."
 
Meanwhile, AB District was developed to enhance food production and self-sufficiency, substitute imports through increased agricultural output, and secure water resources. This project, initiated by Hyundai Construction, began in May 1980 and was completed in August 1995.
 
 
Department: Future Industry and Mobility Industry Team, Industrial Development and Bioindustry Team, Smart Agriculture and Smart Agriculture Team
Contact Numbers: 041-635-3958, 041-635-3930, 041-635-4042