기록의 힘으로 빚어내는 경남의 미래: 산업 혁신에서 문화적 성찰까지 > K-wave Trends

The nuclear industry, which can be said to be the heart of the Gyeongnam economy, has now entered a new phase of technological advancement for small and medium-sized companies. The ‘demand-tailored package support project’ recently promoted by Gyeongsangnam-do and Changwon City is significant in that it goes beyond simple financial support and is a strategic investment targeting next-generation markets such as small module nuclear power plants (SMR). This support policy, which reflects the practical needs of companies from technology development to marketing and certification acquisition, continues the success story of supporting 39 companies in the past, resulting in orders worth more than KRW 170 billion. Companies in the field are eager to secure work through expanded financial support and early orders, and these voices represent Gyeongnam's strong will to leap forward as a central axis of the global supply chain as a core region accounting for 23% of the domestic nuclear power industry.

If the growth of industry is the development of hardware, the cultural quality of a region is completed by the residential environment and artistic sensibility. The ‘Gyeongsangnam-do Excellent Housing Traveling Exhibition’ held in Hamyang-gun goes beyond the simple introduction of buildings and serves as an opportunity to enhance the architectural insight of residents by suggesting creative living spaces that are in harmony with the surrounding environment. At the same time, the ‘Gyeongsangnam-do Youth Theater Festival’ held in Miryang provided a venue for our youth to sublimate teenage concerns such as family, school violence, and self-exploration into art through the space of the stage. These cultural attempts silently ask us what values local communities should pursue in today's harsh society and what emotional foundation we should provide to future generations.

Gyeongnam’s administrative system is also being reorganized to directly improve the lives of citizens. In line with the promulgation of the ‘Special Act on Support for Special Cities’, Changwon City has launched a detailed roadmap to take over 19 new special offices and is ready to simplify administrative procedures closely related to citizens’ lives, such as building permits and remodeling approvals. In addition, the maintenance of Gimhae City's park water park and the inspection of the demolition site of illegal facilities in rivers and valleys demonstrate the responsible administration of the local government to ensure a safe summer for citizens. In addition, meticulous welfare administration, such as support for compensation for COVID-19 vaccination damage, clearly demonstrates Gyeongnam's inclusive value of not turning a blind eye to residents who have suffered during a national crisis.

Recording and preserving history is the most powerful struggle for the future. Through a project to record the lives of immigrants who settled in Gyeongsangnam-do after the establishment of Gyeongsangnam-do in 1896, the Gyeongnam Record Center is collecting traces of the settlement process and solidarity of immigrants who became members of our society. This is a documentary work that proves Gyeongnam’s inclusiveness as it enters a multicultural society. At the same time, the original ‘Korean War Death Notice’, which is being released at the Changnyeong Museum, reminds us of the forgotten history of tragedy and conveys the value of a solemn record that honors the dedication of veterans and their bereaved families. Gyeongnam's efforts to preserve the scars of the past as records and turn them into content serve as a foundation for deepening and enriching the region's history.

Gyeongnam companies’ advancement into the global market is also not stopping. Gyeongsangnam-do actively supports the participation of local beauty companies in international exhibitions such as ‘Cosmo Beauty Malaysia 2026’ and provides one-stop services from local interpretation to marketing strategy establishment. This suggests that Gyeongnam's industrial base is not limited to heavy industry such as nuclear power plants, but is expanding to include consumer goods industries, including K-beauty. This multifaceted export support policy will serve as a strategic bridgehead to improve the constitution of the local economy and increase Gyeongnam's brand value in the global market. Discovering local resources and connecting them with the world is an essential task for Gyeongnam to continue sustainable economic growth.