Hyundai Motor Group is preparing to pour trillions of won into a massive new project in South Korea. Sources say the car giant plans to build facilities on reclaimed land in North Jeolla Province to develop artificial intelligence, hydrogen fuel, and robotics.
The company expects to sign an official agreement soon with the industry and climate ministries. They will also partner with the local provincial government. The deal centers on the Saemangeum area in Gunsan, a vast tract of land the government created by filling in the sea.
This is a huge undertaking. The state project aims to develop over 400 square kilometers of new land by 2050. That is an area roughly two-thirds the size of Seoul. It offers Hyundai the wide-open space it needs for large-scale industrial projects.
The two sides are currently discussing the exact details, but the focus remains clear. Hyundai wants to lead in future technologies. They view AI, hydrogen energy, and advanced robotics as the keys to their future success beyond just making cars.
This specific location offers unique benefits. It has abundant land and excellent conditions for solar power generation. This is crucial because AI data centers eat up huge amounts of electricity. The site could provide the green energy needed to run these high-powered computers.
This project is part of a much larger spending spree. Last November, Hyundai announced it would invest more than 125 trillion won—about $87 billion—in South Korea by 2030. This reported move shows they are acting on that promise to keep their manufacturing and research at home.
Beyond just this site, the automotive group is looking at other areas. Experts believe Hyundai plans to work with local authorities in various regions. These investments would help create jobs and bring life back to local economies outside of the busy capital city.
