새만금, AI·로봇·수소 중심으로…‘9조 투자’ 현대차그룹에 맞춰 ‘새판’

The revised New Deal plan, set to undergo significant restructuring, centers on artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, hydrogen, and renewable energy industries. The plan aims to revamp industrial zones and bolster infrastructure to support the 9 trillion won investment from the Hyundai Group. The Korea New Deal Development Agency announced the key points of the revised New Deal plan on the 20th.

The New Deal plan outlines the vision and goals of the New Deal projects, land use, and other determinations. The agency plans to finalize the revised plan by October, after public hearings starting in September. The most significant changes include shifting from fill-in and land supply methods to public-led development, reducing the planned fill-in area from 240.5㎢ by 2050 to 169.6㎢ by 2035, and establishing 12.2㎢ of strategic buffer land based on corporate demand.

The industrial zones will be categorized into four, each focusing on robotics and AI, advanced machinery, hydrogen-specific industries, and the Re100 behind-the-scenes industrial park. The New Deal plan also aims to expand the hydrogen energy generation capacity from 7 gigawatts (GW) to 10GW. Hyundai's robotic manufacturing plant and AI data center will be located in the first industrial zone, with the data center set to begin construction in March 2027.

The plan includes converting 3 agricultural land plots into energy and industrial purposes, with the energy-producing solar and hydrogen facilities connected to Hyundai's hydrogen production facilities. The plan also focuses on strengthening road and metropolitan transportation networks, including the construction of a north-south 3-axis highway, the Kumiho Port terminal rail, the New Deal Airport, and the international gateway to New Deal.

The plan also includes expanding the metropolitan bus network and adjusting urban land use to leverage the residential, educational, and medical functions of surrounding cities. New Deal Development Agency Chairman Seon Yeong stated that the core of the plan is to resolve the long-delayed issue of fill-in through public leadership and to provide timely support to Hyundai Group and attract further global investments from other companies.