News of the 2026 Regional Economy Innovation Expo, Driving Regional Economic Revitalization

The 2026 Regional Economy Innovation Expo, hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, grandly opened its doors today at the Gangneung Olympic Park in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. This event is a meaningful gathering where over 200 diverse institutions and local governments from across the country come together to freely share outstanding cases of regional economic revitalization. It is expected to play a crucial role as a catalyst, bringing warmth to local commercial districts and small business owners who are struggling with recent high inflation and an economic downturn. On-site, visitors can witness and learn from live ideas that have actually revitalized local economies, going beyond mere exhibitions. A core stage is being set to overcome the crisis of regional decline commonly experienced in our communities and to seek a path of mutual prosperity. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the main contents of the expo and the innovative strategies from various regions.

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News of the 2026 Regional Economy Innovation Expo, Driving Regional Economic Revitalization

1. On-Site at the Innovation Expo Held at Gangneung Olympic Park

Since today, Gangneung Olympic Park has been bustling with local government officials and visitors from all over the country, radiating a vibrant energy. This expo is being held on the largest scale in history, with over 200 public institutions and local governments participating to showcase their proud economic policies. Throughout the spacious exhibition hall, diverse booths are set up where visitors can see and experience various initiatives firsthand, capturing their attention. People visiting the site are observing in detail how each region turned crises into opportunities, expressing great admiration. In particular, the event is richly composed of visual materials and experiential programs designed to be easily understood not only by local government officials but also by general citizens. Held amidst the beautiful natural environment of Gangneung, this event offers visitors both beneficial insights and deep inspiration. The numerous visitors on-site are in an atmosphere of amazement as they encounter the unique ideas for revitalizing local economies from various regions. Rather than policies that remain theoretical, the focus is on introducing tangible results that can be felt in daily life. One citizen who toured the exhibition hall shared their impression, saying, “There were so many excellent ideas that I wish we could implement them in our neighborhood right away; it was a feast for the eyes.” The representatives from participating institutions are also having a busy day, actively promoting their know-how and benchmarking excellent cases from other regions. This vibrant forum for communication is becoming a solid foundation for strengthening the economic structure of the entire nation. We hope that within the expo schedule continuing until tomorrow, even more useful information and hopeful messages will spread widely.

2. Shining Excellent Cases from Resource Recycling to Festivals

One of the most notable parts of this expo is eco-friendly innovation cases, such as the styrofoam recycling project, which successfully balances environmental protection with economic value. The wisdom of local governments that transformed waste, previously considered a burden, into valuable resources, thereby saving budgets and creating new revenue, is shining brightly. Additionally, the secrets behind how cultural events that leverage local characteristics, such as the spectacular drone show in Gwanganri, Busan, attract numerous tourists and revitalize commercial districts have been fully revealed. In this way, each region is putting in all its effort to discover its unique resources and create differentiated appeal. The focus is not on simply pouring in budgets, but on self-sustaining solutions that residents can directly participate in and empathize with. These creative attempts provide positive stimulation to other local governments and increase the possibility of nationwide expansion. Visitors were able to confirm, with specific figures, how tourism content combining waste reduction and advanced technology strengthens regional finances. For example, one region vividly shared the process of creating a specialized street in a local commercial district and solving the problem of vacant shops by collaborating with merchants. Another region completed a distribution structure where both consumers and producers can benefit by combining information and communication technology with direct agricultural and marine product markets. The numerous trial-and-error experiences and the vivid stories of overcoming them serve as invaluable guidelines for officials in other regions. It was a continuous sequence of moving moments showing how a single small idea can enrich the lives of residents. I sincerely hope that these exemplary cases will permeate every corner of local commercial districts across the country in the future.

3. The Winners of the Presidential Award at the Autonomous Management Grand Prix

In the Autonomous Management Grand Prix held in conjunction with this expo, local governments that demonstrated the highest level of autonomous administrative capability in South Korea received the prestigious Presidential Award. Haenam County, Suyeong-gu, and Jinju City, which rose to the top through fierce competition, proved their unparalleled achievements in their respective fields. They demonstrated magical administrative power to turn the unique weaknesses of their regions into strengths, based on close communication with residents. The award ceremony site was filled with enthusiastic applause and cheers for the winners, resembling a true festival. A common thread in their success is that it is not the result of decisions made behind a desk, but the outcome of running on the ground and listening to the voices of residents. This is undoubtedly a historic moment that clearly shows the level of local autonomy in South Korea has taken a step forward. The specific achievements of the regions that received the Presidential Award are set up in a separate special exhibition hall in the center of the expo venue, capturing the attention of visitors. Haenam County received great applause for directly breaking through the crisis of population decline with differentiated support policies that leverage the characteristics of rural and fishing areas. Suyeong-gu received high evaluation for building a sea-centered autonomous management model that maximizes marine tourism resources and coexists with merchants. Jinju City presented a clever plan to inject vitality into the regional economy by leveraging the strengths of a cultural and artistic city where tradition and modernity blend. Their shining achievements do not end with receiving certificates; they present a clear milestone for all local governments in South Korea to follow. We hope that these excellent management techniques will spread to every corner of the country, enabling more local governments to achieve dazzling development.

4. A Catalyst to Bring Warmth to Local Commercial Districts Amid High Inflation

Currently, South Korea is facing severe management difficulties for small business owners in traditional markets and local commercial districts due to persistent high inflation and an economic downturn. Held during this critical time, this expo unveiled a large number of effective measures to inject warmth into the stagnant regional economy. The government and local governments joined forces to share various discount policies and support measures to alleviate the burden of grocery prices and encourage consumers to open their wallets. In particular, efficient operation plans for regional love vouchers and customized management consulting cases for small business owners received explosive interest on-site. It was very impressive to see local governments stepping in to firmly support merchants with burdensome issues such as taxes and the difficulty of opening sales channels that are too heavy for them to bear alone. With this event as a turning point, I have a strong conviction that vibrant smiles will bloom again in all local commercial districts across the country. One small business owner who visited the site teared up, saying, “Prices have risen so much that customers have stopped coming, and I was at a loss, but seeing the successful secrets of revitalizing local districts from other regions has given me courage again.” Only when the government and local governments act as one team to become a sturdy fence for small business owners can true economic growth be achieved. This expo also presented exemplary cooperation models for large corporations and local commercial districts to coexist, receiving great applause. Warm attempts to restore a community culture where the entire society prospers together, going beyond mutual interests, continued. The continuous attention of us all is needed to ensure that these efforts do not remain one-off events but take root as sustainable policies. The revival of local commercial districts filled with warmth is the most certain shortcut to revitalizing the entire South Korean economy.

5. A Forum for Mutual Prosperity and Cooperation to Address Regional Decline

One of the most frightening futures facing South Korea is the crisis of regional decline, but this expo presented a clear answer to it. Traces of the intense deliberations by local governments to prevent the concentration of population and resources in the metropolitan area are evident throughout the exhibition hall. Plans to build a metropolitan cooperation system that fills in the gaps, going beyond the competitive relationship between neighboring local governments, were discussed in depth. Youth startup support projects and housing stability measures to inject new vitality into hometowns where young people are leaving due to a lack of jobs received significant attention. It was a time to realize how important it is to create a virtuous cycle where talents born and raised in the regions can work and settle in those areas again. The representatives from each institution firmly pledged to hand in hand to wisely navigate the huge wave of population decline. During the expo, various seminars and expert lectures produced concrete and realistic alternatives to overcome regional decline. Everyone deeply agreed that creating a good living environment is the core, rather than superficial support just to increase the population. Creating an environment good for raising children and providing diverse welfare benefits that satisfy cultural needs were cited as keys to success. Under the truth that “if the regions live, South Korea lives,” the central government and local governments demonstrated close communication and cooperation like never before. This strong solidarity and cooperation will be the most powerful weapon to turn the crises of the coming future into opportunities. I earnestly hope that all local governments across the country will actively adopt these excellent cases and transform into vibrant regions.

6. The Spark of Innovation to Spread Nationwide and Our Attitude

The 2026 Regional Economy Innovation Expo held in Gangneung has played a catalytic role in changing the economic structure of South Korea, going beyond a mere event to watch and enjoy. The numerous excellent cases and success know-how shared today will now spread widely to all local governments across the country, igniting a massive spark of innovation. The government also promised not to end this expo as a one-time event but to actively reflect the voices from the field and provide continuous support without holding back. I also encourage our readers to take an interest in the economic policies of the region where you live and to practice using local commercial districts, starting with small consumption. We must not forget that only when the region revives can our own living environment become more abundant and warm. I hope you will continue to send great support and warm interest to the dazzling news of economic revitalization coming from all over the country. In the era of local autonomy, cultivating the power for each region to be self-reliant is no longer a postponable task but a historical destiny. As confirmed at this expo, we already have sufficient wisdom and creative ideas to overcome crises. If the people, local governments, and the government align in one heart and one mind, we will be able to overcome any difficulty. I strongly recommend visiting the expo site, which continues until tomorrow, to directly witness the bright future of South Korea with your own eyes. Our journey to create vibrant regions and a warm economy is just beginning. Let us all smile and warmly watch the dazzling changes in every corner of South Korea that will develop further in the future.

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