Korea’s Only Joint Innovation City
Bitgaram Innovation City is a joint innovation city established by Jeonnam and Gwangju Metropolitan City. Construction began in 2007 and was completed in 2015, making it the only joint innovation city of its kind in Korea.The name “Bitgaram” combines bit, meaning “light” and representing Gwangju, with garam, an Old Korean word for “river” referring to the Yeongsangang River. The name symbolizes the shared prosperity of Jeonnam–Gwangju and the abundance of the Yeongsangang River.
A Key Hub for Korea’s Energy Industry
Bitgaram Innovation City is a leading hub for balanced national development. 16 public institutions, including Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), have relocated to the city, creating a future-oriented, self-sufficient city where public institutions, companies, and universities grow together. With energy-related public institutions concentrated around KEPCO, the city has become the center of Korea’s energy industry. Supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology and Energy Valley, it leads collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions and R&D in next-generation energy technologies.
An Innovation City Where People Put Down Roots
Bitgaram Innovation City offers a pleasant residential environment and well-developed educational and cultural infrastructure. Its high local talent employment rate and commitment to mutually beneficial regional development make it one of Korea’s leading innovation cities and support its continued, sustainable growth. The city continues to advance toward becoming a world-class energy innovation city by fostering emerging energy industries, strengthening its industry–academia–research innovation ecosystem, and securing new drivers of growth in connection with the second relocation of public institutions.
Promotional Video for the 'Artificial Sun'
Bird’s-Eye View of the Artificial Sun (Nuclear Fusion) Research Facility