Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) will develop an urban high-tech industrial complex on campus concentrating ICT, BT, and CT—sectors identified as 21st-century growth engines. JBNU plans to create a Jeonbuk-style startup hub that brings together major corporations, emerging startups, R&D centers, and support facilities, and to foster it as a platform for regional development.

JBNU announced on the 5th that it will implement the "Campus Innovation Park" project with a total investment of KRW 111 billion by 2030. The plan calls for creating a future-oriented high-tech industrial complex on 36,580 m² of idle land around JBNU's Gujeong Gate and the indoor gymnasium. Approximately 180 companies, including Naver (Health Division), KT, Harim, and IMI, will participate as lead anchor partners.

In this regard, JBNU was selected last month for the "2022 Campus Innovation Park" competitive project, jointly conducted by three government ministries—the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The initiative, aimed at developing universities as hubs of regional innovation-led growth, drew proposals from 17 universities this year. JBNU and Changwon National University were ultimately selected, overcoming a competition ratio of 8.5 to 1.

JBNU will develop the 36,580 m² site around the Gujeong Gate and indoor gymnasium in three phases from this year through 2030 (Phase 1: 25,516 m²; Phase 2: 3,537 m²; Phase 3: 7,527 m²). Total project costs are estimated at KRW 111 billion. For the Phase 1 Industry–University–Research Innovation Hub construction project, which begins this year and will have a total floor area of 22,300 m², JBNU will invest KRW 51 billion (national government KRW 19 billion, provincial KRW 4 billion, city KRW 4 billion, LH KRW 24 billion). Aiming to open in 2026, the hub will provide corporate tenancy spaces, research institutes, and a comprehensive business support center focused on cultural content, ICT, and bio-convergence.

Phase 1 will be linked with Jeonju City's urban regeneration New Deal project (I-TOWN), which establishes the foundation for a metaverse-centered advanced digital cultural content industry. It is expected to become a base for fostering future industries and driving regional development.

Phase 2 will invest KRW 30 billion between 2025 and 2027. It will create a base for R&D advancement and global market entry to lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

Phase 3, to be completed in 2030, will focus on creating an ECO mixed-use complex. It will include permanent facilities for education, culture, and welfare to build a work–life balance town for staff.  

JBNU will begin administrative procedures this month to establish the industrial complex plan and will move as quickly as possible so that companies in related sectors can move in by 2026.

High-level officials from Jeollabuk-do and Jeonju City have shown strong commitment by participating directly in on-site inspections and comprehensive evaluations and by conducting briefings. This has raised expectations for close cooperation with local governments in project implementation.

President Kim Dong-won said, 'We will combine JBNU's accumulated know-how in entrepreneurship-focused university programs, the LINC 3.0 Project Group (Leaders in INdustry-university Cooperation 3.0), the SW-Centered University Project Group, our education and research infrastructure, and the networks of surrounding support organizations to create the nation's leading startup hub. Through this, we expect to achieve a virtuous cycle of university development, synergy for regional development, and job creation for young people.'