"Better positioned than Busan for global reach via East Sea rim"
AI data center planned for Okgye area with full-scale development push
Synergy sought with Donghae trade port and Yangyang international airport
Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam said he would set aside the city's own interests and work actively to help six East Sea coast cities and counties develop together as the hub of the East Sea rim region.
"Gangneung is the only city that can serve as a forward base for inter-Korean exchange, cultural tourism and exports," Kim said in a recent interview. "In the East Sea rim, we have a better location than Busan, and together with Donghae and Yangyang, we can reach the world faster than anywhere else."
Kim said Gangneung, as the central hub of the Yeongdong region, would work closely with Donghae, which has a trade port, and Yangyang, which has an international airport, to leverage the strengths of East Sea rim cities.
"There is no way for Gangneung to prosper alone," he said. "Gangneung will let go of its own ambitions. We will build solidarity — with Donghae and Yangyang-gun nearby, and with Sokcho, Samcheok and Goseong-gun further out — to maximize synergy." He added that a mayors and county chiefs meeting of the six municipalities is scheduled this month, at which he plans to announce his intention to actively support projects being pursued by neighboring cities and counties in the name of shared prosperity.
Kim said Okgye-myeon, at the southernmost tip of Gangneung adjacent to Donghae, would be developed strategically through expanded logistics support for Donghae International Trade Port, construction of an AI data center, and leisure sports and tourism development.
SK Group plans to build an AI data center at the Gangneung Okgye industrial complex at 400 megawatts — 40 percent of the originally targeted 1-gigawatt capacity — in light of current power grid conditions, with additional construction to be considered as electricity infrastructure expands. With Korea Electric Power Corporation having expressed its willingness to provide support, the project is now expected to pick up pace.
abc@heraldcorp.com
