By Park Si-soo
Iksan will undergo a major facelift of its industrial infrastructure to facilitate companies in a new food industry cluster due to open in the area by 2015.
Named the “Foodpolis,” the complex’s master plan features the expansion of current land, air and maritime transportation networks surrounding the city.
The improvement to the expressway will provide easier access to nearby Gunsan Airport, only 40 minutes away from the cluster by car. The government has not ruled out the possibility of allowing international flights to use the airport.
Korea has access to 60 major cities within a two-hour flight range, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo, each with more than 1.5 million people. The country’s trade volume with these cities is expected to increase continuously as the government is trying to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) with as many countries as possible.
The country’s FTAs with the EU and the United States have already gone into effect, while talks on similar issue with China and Japan continue.
In addition, a new expressway linking Gunsan and Pohang will open to the public soon, the third expressway linking Iksan and Korea’s major food markets. At present, four railroad lines — the Honam, Janghang and Gunsan lines and the Honam KTX high-speed railroad — have stations in the city of Iksan. The KTX line plans to extend its network from Iksan before the complex starts operation.
A review of temporary transportation systems, such as shuttle freight cars and buses, between Iksan Station and the cluster, will take place before the opening of the extended railway line.
The development of Saemangeum New Harbor, which is 60 kilometers away, is also underway. The harbor is expected to serve as a centerpiece of the country’s maritime logistics for agricultural and food products.
The main access and exit roads for Foodpolis (provincial road No. 722 and country road No. 19) will be widened to provide more convenient access to the cluster. In addition, new low-carbon transportation vehicles such as trams will be employed inside the cluster.