South Gyeongsang Province draws record investment at Seoul forum

'2026 South Gyeongsang Province Investment Forum' draws over 300 attendees in Seoul

17 companies sign investment agreements worth 2.64 trillion won

Samsung Heavy Industries, Doosan Enerbility among major investors

Province achieves 10 trillion won in investment attraction for second consecutive year

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su delivers opening remarks at the 2026 South Gyeongsang Province Investment Forum held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on Tuesday. [South Gyeongsang Province]

South Gyeongsang Province held the 2026 South Gyeongsang Province Investment Forum at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on Tuesday morning, drawing more than 300 attendees including CEOs of companies based in the greater metropolitan area. Held under the theme "South Gyeongsang Province: Opening the Future of Investment and Growth," the forum introduced the province's investment attraction strategy and showcased its differentiated investment environment and concentrated industrial ecosystem to potential investors from the Seoul area, with the aim of converting interest into concrete commitments.

The forum featured the signing of investment agreements, commendations for seven outstanding investor companies, and tailored investment consultations by region and industry. Governor Park Wan-su said the province had achieved 10 trillion won ($7.51 billion) in investment attraction for the second consecutive year, following last year's milestone as the first time the province crossed that threshold. "This was made possible by the trust and resolve of the business leaders who believed in South Gyeongsang Province and chose to invest here," he said.

Park extended particular thanks to Samsung Heavy Industries and Doosan Enerbility for contributing to the province's future growth in line with the government's plan to develop advanced industries in the Yeongnam region. "We will actively support large conglomerate investments so they can drive growth among partner companies and spur additional investment in related industries," he said.

South Gyeongsang Province hit 10 trillion won in investment attraction this year, matching the same milestone last year and marking two consecutive years of record performance. Provincial officials attributed the results to an aggressive outreach approach — visiting companies directly to explain investment conditions and identifying opportunities tailored to each company's needs.

At the forum, the province signed investment agreements with 17 companies totaling 2.64 trillion won, with plans to create 850 new jobs. It was the largest single-event result since the South Gyeongsang Province Investment Forum launched in 2009.

Among the agreements by region, Dongwon Global Terminal Busan plans to invest 200 billion won in the west container terminal at Jinhae New Port in Changwon and hire 88 new employees. Young Chemical will also invest 100 billion won in the Ungdong district and take on 60 new workers.

In Jinju, Hana Aerodynamics will invest 40 billion won in the Aviation National Industrial Complex, while SI Aviation will put in 5 billion won across the Jinju area, with plans to hire 20 and 10 new employees respectively — both contributing to the expansion of the aerospace industry base. In Sacheon, SNK Aviation will invest 15 billion won, U&I E&NC will invest 11 billion won, and Telepics will invest 10 billion won, with a combined plan to hire 40 new employees.

In Miryang, local company Spacepro plans to invest 60 billion won in the aerospace sector in Sangnam-myeon and hire 60 new employees. Biogreen will invest 65 billion won in the Nano Convergence National Industrial Complex and hire 52 workers. In Yangsan, Daewon Plus Group is expected to invest 260 billion won in tourism and MICE in the Singi 2 district and hire 180 new employees, laying a new foundation for regional growth.

In Haman, Samsung Heavy Industries will pursue investment in the shipbuilding components sector at the Chilseo General Industrial Complex. SL Electric will invest 42 billion won in precision machinery including ESS at the Haman General Industrial Complex and hire 80 employees. In Sancheong-gun, Won Geurae Jin plans to hire 10 new employees and invest 10 billion won in the food and biotech sector at the Korean Medicine Anti-Aging Industrial Complex.

The investment agreements cover both the strengthening of existing core industries such as shipbuilding and nuclear power, and expansion into future industries including aerospace, satellite technology, AI, ESS, medical and biotech, smart logistics, and tourism and MICE.

South Gyeongsang Province presented governor's commendations to seven outstanding investor companies: Hyosung Heavy Industries, Samhyun, SP Aero, AST, NI Steel, agricultural corporation Banguri, and Gupo Noodles.

The province said it will strengthen administrative support to ensure large-scale investments proceed without disruption and will work to extend their impact to partner companies and related industries, with the goal of boosting regional industrial competitiveness and creating quality jobs.

ook967@heraldcorp.com