통합특별시 성공의 조건④]광양제철이 남긴 숙제..삼성·SK 오려[목포MBC 뉴스데스크]

[Mokpo MBC News] ◀ Anchor ▶ As the possibility of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix investing in factories in the Honam region is being discussed, expectations in the area are rising. However, there are many local governments across the country seeking to attract these factories, and some companies are also keeping their options open for overseas investment. Reporter Yoon So-young investigated what challenges the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City must overcome to leap forward as an industrial hub that attracts businesses and talent. ◀ Report ▶ POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks. It is the site of Korea's representative steel industry, where over 7,000 regular workers are employed. However, a significant number of employees commute long distances from places such as Seoul, Pohang, Yeosu, and Suncheon, or live separated from their families. This is because Gwangyang's educational and residential conditions are failing to keep up with the demand. ◀ INT ▶ Kim Tae-seong / Secretary General, Gwangyang Office, POSCO Labor Union "There is nothing in Gwangyang City that allows one to go through elementary, middle, and high school, and even university. It is even difficult to recruit staff for the company cafeteria." While Pohang, which also has a steelworks, has established a structure to cultivate local talent centered around Pohang University of Science and Technology, Gwangyang, despite possessing a large-scale steelworks, effectively lacks a foundation for training talent in the steel sector. ◀ st-up ▶ "Although there is a university near the steelworks, it is operated primarily to enhance the capabilities of POSCO employees, so it is difficult to expect it to play a role in nurturing local youth talent." While expectations are rising to attract high-tech industries such as semiconductors in conjunction with the government's plan for a unified Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, companies remain cautious. Recently, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won stated that diverse infrastructure is necessary regarding the location of a semiconductor factory. Samsung Electronics is also reportedly giving significant consideration to residential and educational environments during its review of the Advanced Technology Zone 3, which connects Jangseong and Gwangju. The analysis suggests that the success or failure of attracting companies ultimately depends on settlement conditions, including education, research, housing, culture, and transportation. The view is that now, with 20 trillion won in financial support being provided, is the golden time to build competitiveness. ◀ INT ▶ Na Ju-mong / Professor, Department of Economics, Chonnam National University "It is extremely important to cultivate talent related to advanced new industries and connect that talent with the 20 trillion won in financial investment to create areas where we can gain a comparative advantage over other regions." The Jeonnam-Gwangju Transformation Planning Committee has also identified a growth structure where education, industry, and settlement conditions intertwine as a core task. Attention is focused on whether the Integrated Special City can be reborn as a "city that companies seek out and talent stays in." This is Yoon So-young from MBC News.