Former Democratic Party floor leader Woo Sang-ho pledged to prioritize regional integration over conflict during a visit to Gangwon Province on June 4, 2026 [1].
This initiative signals a strategic shift toward economic revitalization in the region, focusing on high-tech infrastructure to attract corporate investment and stabilize the local economy.
Speaking at a site located between Gangneung and Donghae, Woo said he would work toward integration rather than focusing on issues that cause conflict [1]. He said he would implement steps one by one for a breakthrough change in Gangwon Province [1].
Central to his economic plan is the attraction of a large-scale AI data center from a major corporation to the area between Gangneung and Donghae [1]. Woo said the establishment of such a center is urgent for the province's growth.
To support these goals, Woo proposed the formation of an emergency economic task force. This body would be responsible for coordinating regional economic activation measures, and overseeing the implementation of the proposed tech initiatives [1].
Woo's focus on the AI sector reflects a broader trend of attempting to pivot traditional regional economies toward the digital era. By targeting the corridor between Gangneung and Donghae, he aims to create a concentrated hub of technological development — a move intended to curb regional population decline and stimulate job growth [1].
““Work toward integration rather than focusing on issues that cause conflict””
Woo Sang-ho's proposal to integrate AI infrastructure with a dedicated economic task force suggests a move toward 'technological regionalism.' By focusing on a specific geographic corridor between Gangneung and Donghae, the plan seeks to leverage corporate AI investment to counteract the economic stagnation often found in South Korea's provincial areas.
