Starting with environment-friendly agriculture, the bio-industry has expanded to livestock farming and marine products. Chemical-free (free of herbicides and pesticides) product certification is now widely practiced. Thus, Jeollanam-do is emerging as the true place to produce the safest and healthiest produce and processed foods in Korea.
“Corporation by Products” as well as the “Agricultural Product Distribution Company” were established and upsized. Invested in by fishermen, the Korean “Corporation by Products” covers a variety of marine products such as ear shells and inorganic acid laver.
New and renewable energy industry has been selected as a leading project of the metropolitan economy zone. Following the establishment of solar energy infrastructure, the fields of energy industry are diversified to wind, tidal and bio-mass.
The province was the first in Korea to declare environment-friendly development as a guiding principle and has made responsible land resource management to be at the heart of administrative endeavors.
To maximize the effect of "Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea", Jeollanam-do has already established comprehensive master plan and continues to expand infrastructure for the improved access.
For the streamline preparation of "F1 Korean Grand Prix", one of the 3 biggest sport event, the racecourse started to be constructed on its full swing and the government showed its will to support it.
Since 2006, Jeollanam-do has attracted 1,452 companies and created 56,000 jobs as a result of its efforts such as the establishment of a oint Support Committee for Investing Companies first in Korea
32 industrial complexes have been established to provide customized industrial sites, and neighboring areas west of Gwanyang Port have been designated as Free Trade Zones.
The mid-southern area was selected to specialize in oriental medicine, environment-friendly agricultural and marine bio-industries,the suburban regions of Gwangju specialize in ‘nano’, ‘bio’, medicine and food industries.
The eastern area will specialize in aerospace, precision machinery, chemicals, new metals, new materials and intelligent logistics,
the south-west area was selected for shipbuilding, new & renewable energy industries, ceramics and marine tourism.
Jeollanam-do is establishing its [Comprehensive Plan for Southwest Coast Development] covering 16 cities and counties along the southwest coast, leading the enactment of the [East, West and South Coast Development Special Law].
The southwest area comprising Mokpo, Muan and Shinan is designated as the [South-west Development Complex] with 83 industries targeted as the area is being fostered as a ‘new industry’ complex.
Jeollanam-do is proceeding with its ‘Galaxy Islands Project’ to develop the archipelago for tourism, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
For the first time in Asia four areas have been designated as ‘slow’ cities due to their distinguished eco-resources such as wetlands and beautiful shorelines that will be developed naturally as a part of regional tourism development “Environment-friendly Green Tourism” was declared for the first time in Korea.
The Korean first well-being ‘Happy Village’ contributes to rejuvenation of communities which are being developed with the goal to preserve the distinctive features and motifs of traditional southern style Korean homes.
A systematic support system is being prepared including such services as foreign language training to help improve the international communicative abilities of people living in agricultural and fishery towns. A Talent Fostering Foundation has also been set up to help develop leadership and managerial skills among the people of Jeollanam-do.
To secure strongholds for local development, Jeollanam-do is constructing a ‘joint innovation city’ in Naju, Namak New City in Muan, and a new international city in Suncheon.
With proactive investment promotion, the tourism and leisure city of the southwest coast tourism stronghold and Muan commercial city for the Korea-China industrial complex will be normalized earlier.
The modern Muan International Airport has recently opened as the central airport serving the entire southwest region while construction of the Gwangju-Muan highway has been completed, securing a smooth and efficient transportation network that reduces almost all commutes in the region to within one hour.
Marine tourism and coastal access have been immensely improved with the newly upgraded port logistical infrastructure that includes a 4 container wharf in Gwangyang and 6 bridges connecting the inland with a series of scenic local islands that offer excellent destinations for picnicking, water sports, fishing and cycling.
