“Through the Jeju-style New Deal plan, Jeju Province plans to discover and foster future new industries and create 40,000 new jobs,” Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Won Hee-ryong said.
In a written interview with the Korea Post on Oct. 15, Gov. Won said, "Jeju has been trying to transform itself into a low-carbon society for the past decade. Jeju's Green Big Bang strategy centered on the Carbon Free Island 2030 project and the low-carbon strategy have resulted in the nation's best renewable energy ratio of 14.4 percent, along with the change in supplying more than 30% of electricity with renewable energy.”
Noting that the core point is the liberalization of power transactions, Gov. Won said, "We will lead a future-oriented energy policy in which anyone can generate clean power and freely trade by liberalizing the power trade monopolized by Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO)"
Saying that the COVID-19 crisis is accelerating the transition to a non-face-to-face and digital society, the governor said, "Jeju will build an artificial intelligence (AI) big data platform to lead the post-Corona era and secure growth engines."
"To this end, we will transform into a new society where data collected from various Internet of Things is integrated into Big Data, which analyzes it with AI and transmits it to 5G," he said.
Gov. Won said that Jeju will secure 'regional data autonomy' that utilizes data produced in the region and create a safe and smart Jeju with the nation's AI big data platform development policy."
The summary of the Korea Post’s interview with Won Hee-ryong, governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, is as follows.
Question: Would you comment on Jeju Island's specialization strategy?
Answer: Jeju's green sector is the highest in the country. Jeju will characterize the Green Big Bang strategy, renewable energy, and electric vehicle strategies that it has been pushing for, linking it to the success of the Jeju-style New Deal and the Korean version of the New Deal, and lead the global market.
In particular, as Jeju-type quarantine is becoming an example of K-quarantine and a global standard, Jeju will maximize its "clean, safety" image on the foundation of strong quarantine to turn the crisis into a chance to create a "healing island."
Q: Would you introduce Jeju's innovation tasks and job creation plans?
A: For the Jeju-style New Deal plan, Jeju will spend a total of 6.1 trillion won ($5.3 million) by 2025, and aims to create 40,000 jobs in the process.
In particular, Jeju will accelerate the development of innovative future talents, centering on the “Jeju Bigger Tomorrow Center,” which opened for the first time in the country last year. The development of core competencies will be a driving force to enhance Jeju and Korea's competitiveness beyond companies.
Q: Please explain about a plan for the 4th Industrial City and Electric Vehicle City
A: We have made strenuous efforts to innovate our environmental policies through Green Big Bang strategies, including the 'Carbon-Free Island 2030' project, new & renewable energy and electric vehicle conversion strategy, and smart island strategy based on digital and big data.
In addition, to proactively prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution, Jeju has focused on securing future growth engines such as the blockchain, electric vehicle and cosmetics special zone strategy, drone regulatory sandbox and drone special zone strategy, the creation of a startup ecosystem to discover and attract innovative startups, and the establishment of a system to nurture future talents.
In particular, as Jeju was designated as a leading city for electric vehicles in 2011 and was designated as a special zone for charging electric vehicles last year, it is planning to actively foster electric vehicles as a future growth engine.
In addition, we will soon introduce V2G (Vehicle to Grid) to open an era of interactive power communication by attempting a new concept of 'energy prosumer' for the first time in the country. To that end, we will also actively respond to such tasks as improving the system.
Q: What is Jeju Province’s policy to overcome the COVID-19 crisis?
A: Jeju will be provided with an environment where travelers can visit Jeju with confidence, and Jeju will establish a quick and accurate quarantine response system. Jeju will realize smart quarantine and smart tourism.
Jeju will continue to proactively manage and respond to the COVID-19 crisis based on the three principles of quarantine: speed, boldness, and sufficiency.
Q: Do you have any idea on tourism policy to attract investment and directions for revitalizing the local economy?
A: It is an important time to respond to the qualitative shift in travel patterns even in the crisis of COVID-19.
Therefore, Jeju plans to revitalize the tourism industry and the local economy by establishing a clean environment, which is the core value of Jeju, and an image of Jeju safe from the COVID-19.