Jeollanam-do

Jeollanam-do represents ecological niche diversification at provincial scale—Korea's southernmost mainland region combining heavy industry, organic agriculture, and renewable energy in distinct zones. The Gwangyang Steel Mill produces 21 million tons annually as one of the world's largest single-site steel producers, while the Yeosu National Industrial Complex hosts Korea's largest petrochemical concentration. Yet the same province ranks first nationally in organic and eco-friendly agriculture, covering 60% of Korea's pesticide-free farmland.

The renewable energy pivot accelerates this diversification. Jeollanam-do generated 8,248 GWh in 2023, ranking third nationally, and the entire province has been designated a distributed energy special zone. The government's 7.9 GW offshore wind target for 2030 and a $35 billion AI data center announcement in February 2025 signal transformation from agricultural periphery to energy infrastructure hub. Naju City's bid for the Artificial Sun research facility projects 200+ companies and 10,000 jobs by 2050 if successful.

This 'Blue Economy' strategy—inspired by natural ecosystem circulation to minimize resource waste—leverages the province's peripheral position. Far from Seoul's metropolitan gravity, Jeollanam-do offers Korea's lowest industrial land prices while maintaining higher productivity than average metropolitan regions. The November 2025 opening of a permanent Jeonnam food sales center in Berlin's Momogoo Mart, featuring Wando seaweed and Boseong green tea, extends the province's ecological niche to European markets. Whether steel, solar, or seaweed, Jeollanam-do demonstrates that distance from the capital creates space for specialized adaptation.