Andong City Council demands that the region’s hemp regulatory free zone become a full‑cycle industrial hub that drives real commercial growth.
Andong Council Calls for Full‑Cycle Hemp Valley
Councilman Kwangyoung Son says the city must move beyond demonstration projects and build a complete ecosystem that spans cultivation, processing, research, product manufacturing and export.
The proposal links four existing assets—Andongpo traditional textiles, the industrial hemp regulatory free zone, the hemp cluster and the bio‑industry complex—into a single chain. This structure keeps value local and creates jobs.
“The hemp industry must not stay in the field; raw materials must be processed locally, researched, turned into products and generate employment,” Son said.
Competition nationwide is intensifying, and Andong risks losing its first‑mover advantage if it does not accelerate commercialization now.
Son outlined three actions: approve a five‑year Comprehensive Hemp Valley Plan, designate hemp as a strategic industry and expand the hemp cluster into a central production and R&D hub. These steps will provide a clear roadmap for long‑term industrialization.
He also urged expansion of the Andong Bio‑Industry Complex to join the existing vaccine sector, creating a joint bio‑hemp hub supported by North Gyeongsang Province. Support from the province will be essential for long‑term success.
Other provinces, such as North Jeolla, are pursuing similar clusters, heightening the need for Andong to act quickly.
Son warned that without turning demo data into corporate investment and product manufacturing, the region could miss the hemp boom.
By connecting history, demonstration, industry and jobs, Andong can turn its legacy into a modern strategic industry for North Gyeongsang Province.
The initiative aims to turn Andongpo’s heritage into a sustainable, export‑ready industry that fuels regional growth.
