Cradle of economic development in Korea, 50 years of Changwon National Industrial Complex < Summary < Text of article

The Changwon National Industrial Complex, which was launched as a national industrial complex in April 1974 when Korea was focusing its efforts on fostering heavy and chemical industries and expanding exports, has been the core of Korea’s economic growth for the past half century as the center of the machinery industry, which is the basis of manufacturing industries such as automobiles, shipbuilding, and nuclear power plants. It was.

In particular, the production volume of industrial complex companies, which was only 1.5 billion won in 1975, immediately after its launch, increased 40,000 times to 60 trillion won in 2023, and exports during the same period increased 30,000 times from $600,000 to $18.3 billion, leaving a mythical record.

In order to look back on the past 50 years of the Changwon National Industrial Complex and open the next 50 years, Gyeongsangnam-do Province held a meeting of 400 people, including Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kang Kyung-seong, and businessmen and workers from the Changwon National Industrial Complex at the Changwon Convention Center on the 24th. A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Changwon National Industrial Complex was held with approximately 20 people in attendance.

Hosted by Gyeongnam Province and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and hosted by Changwon City and the Gyeongnam Headquarters of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, the event was held in the following order: a report on the past 50 years, a vision presentation for the next 50 years, awards for meritorious service, a commemorative ceremony, and a theme performance.

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wan-soo said in his welcoming speech, “Changwon National Industrial Complex has made a great contribution to the development of Gyeongnam and the national economy,” and added, “I am grateful for the hard work of the businessmen and workers who sometimes thought and sweated for adventure and other times for innovation.”

He also emphasized, “We must celebrate the achievements of the past 50 years and at the same time plan for the new 50 years,” and added, “Gyeongnam Province will actively take steps to create youth-friendly industries and cultural industrial complexes along with the digital transformation of industrial complexes.”

Mayor Hong Nam-pyo of Changwon, with the vision of becoming the ‘capital of the global digital and cultural industrial complex’, introduced four strategies: ▲creating a top-notch manufacturing innovation ecosystem ▲converting to a carbon-neutral leading industrial complex ▲establishing a continuous learning platform ▲expanding cultural, leisure and tourism content. A picture of the future 50 years of the national industrial complex was announced.

Prime Minister Han Deok-soo then personally presented a government award to those who have contributed to the 50th anniversary of the Changwon National Industrial Complex.

The Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest honor of the day, was received for successfully developing the local production of armored vehicle transmissions and contributing to K-defense exports to Saudi Arabia and Poland and job creation, while also practicing win-win cooperation with the region while serving as chairman of the Changwon National Industrial Complex Management Council. Jeon Seo-hoon, CEO of Samkwang Machinery, received the award.

In addition, a total of 9 people were honored with government awards, including ▲Samshim Machinery CEO Joo Jin-hyeon and ▲Kum Ahyde Power CEO Kim Jang-ju who received industrial awards.

Prime Minister Han Deok-soo said, “The half-century of Changwon National Industrial Complex is the history of Korea’s economic growth achieved through the successful transition from light industry to heavy and chemical industry.” He added, “The government will work with the local community and industry to successfully move into the future of digital transformation and fostering new industries.” “I will try my best,” he said.

The commemorative ceremony was attended by the CEO of PK Valve, the first company to move into the Changwon National Industrial Complex, which has played a leading role in the growth of the Changwon National Industrial Complex over the past 50 years, master craftsman Heo Jeong-il, and young workers who will play a leading role in the future, Manager Ha Neung-gyo of Energen, and researcher Baek Seung-yeon of Ire Industry, along with children. and Mirae met to create the ‘Cogwheel Puzzle Ceremony’, meaning the completion of the Changwon National Industrial Complex.

In particular, a themed performance depicting the work of Changwon National Industrial Complex workers through a musical was performed, giving meaning and emotion to the 50th anniversary of the designation.

Following the commemorative ceremony, an unveiling ceremony was held for the symbolic sculpture and inscription stone commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Changwon National Industrial Complex.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Changwon National Industrial Complex, President Yoon Seok-yeol added the meaning of the event by handing over a handwritten inscription reading ‘Cradle of Industrial Power, Changwon National Industrial Complex’, expressing his congratulations and encouragement on the 50th anniversary of the Changwon National Industrial Complex.

Meanwhile, the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the designation of Changwon National Industrial Complex will be held for five days from the 23rd to the 27th. A conference for sharing technological trends and industrial complex innovation will be held at the Changwon Convention Center on the 25th and 26th, and a conference for all residents at Changwon Plaza will be held on the 27th. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Changwon National Industrial Complex, a public concert, drone and fireworks show, Changwon Industrial Complex exhibition, and corporate culture experience will be held.