Trade ministry, Saemangeum authority, N. Jeolla Province to host investment consultations Wednesday through Friday
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Saemangeum Development Agency and North Jeolla Province said they will promote investment to a Chinese investment survey delegation visiting Saemangeum. The delegation's trip runs three days, from Wednesday through Friday.
Earlier, South Korea and China discussed ways to boost investment in the Saemangeum industrial complex — designated a Korea-China industrial cooperation zone — during a summit on Nov. 1, 2025. Then, in January this year, with the leaders of both countries in attendance, the two sides signed an MOU to strengthen cooperation between Korea-China industrial complexes. They also agreed to send a Chinese investment delegation to Saemangeum.
The delegation is led by Si Yonghong, vice chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products. It comprises more than 20 Chinese companies spanning sectors such as solar power, batteries and information and communications technology. Officials from China's Ministry of Commerce and the Chinese Embassy in Seoul are also expected to accompany the delegation.
The trade ministry, the Saemangeum authority and North Jeolla Province will run a program covering everything from on-site inspections to working-level consultations during the delegation's stay.
On the first day, Wednesday, the investment delegation will inspect investment conditions at the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex, including major industrial sites and infrastructure. It will also visit Chinese companies already based there to hear about their business operations and experience moving in. On Thursday, the delegation will hold a business round table to discuss cooperation needs, investment difficulties and support measures between Korean and Chinese companies.
On the same day, the Saemangeum Investment Forum will present investment incentives alongside future visions such as Hyundai Motor Group's large-scale investment plans. The investment consultation session, joined by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and others, will address practical details needed for actual investment. These include visa issuance, permits and licensing, and partner sourcing.
Bae Jun-hyung, director general of the Trade Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "This visit by the investment delegation is not an end but a beginning." He added, "We will continue consultations with related agencies, including the Saemangeum authority, North Jeolla Province and KOTRA, so that the interest companies have shown on-site leads to actual investment."
oskymoon@heraldcorp.com
