Located at the heart of Korea, Cheongju is renowned not only as a high-tech industrial city but also as a cradle of culture, heritage, and education. Its harmonious blend of tradition and modernity has shaped it into a dynamic city of sustainable development and great potential for international cooperation.
Strategic Location and Integrated Infrastructure
Cheongju, the capital of Chungcheongbuk-do Province, covers 940 km² and has a population of nearly 900,000. Ideally located 120 km from Seoul and just a one-hour flight from the famous tourist destination Jeju, Cheongju serves as a transportation hub linking the capital with southeastern and southwestern Korea. It is considered a growth corridor and gateway to major markets such as China and Southeast Asia. The city boasts modern transportation infrastructure including Cheongju International Airport, Osong-KTX high-speed train station, and six major expressways, facilitating trade and tourism.
A High-Tech Industrial and Innovation City
Cheongju is recognized as a high-tech industrial city thanks to its vast land, abundant water resources, and well-developed industrial ecosystem. The city hosts 21 industrial complexes and over 60,000 enterprises, including major conglomerates like SK, Samsung, and LG. It leads in key national strategic industries such as biotechnology, information technology, new energy, semiconductors, and secondary batteries.
Cheongju is Korea’s largest producer of secondary batteries, accounting for 48% of national output. It is the country’s only designated special industrial complex for secondary batteries, home to leading companies like LG Energy Solution and ECOPROBM. The country’s largest semiconductor industrial cluster is also based here, strongly supported by government R&D initiatives and semiconductor equipment development programs.
In biotechnology, Cheongju excels with nearly 250 research centers and renowned pharmaceutical firms such as GC Biopharma and Celltrion. The city houses many national agencies for food safety, health, and disease control, underscoring its role as a biomedical hub.
Rich Cultural Heritage and City of Education
With over 1,500 years of history, Cheongju proudly stands as a cradle of Korean culture and education. It is home to Jikji, the world’s oldest extant book printed with metal movable type, and birthplace of many notable educational and moral works of the Chosun era. Known as the “City of Scholarship and Culture,” Cheongju has 344 schools, nearly 200,000 students, and 9 universities, including 3 national universities.
Beyond education, Cheongju is a leading cultural city in East Asia, actively engaging in cultural exchanges with China and Japan. The city hosts international events like the International Craft Festival, Jikji Korean Festival, and Chojeong Mineral Water King Sejong Festival.
Popular destinations include the Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa, Suamgol village (featured in many Korean dramas), Munam Ecological Park, Ok Hwa Forest, Musim Chon River, and Cheongju Art Museum.
Balanced Development and Comprehensive Welfare
The Cheongju municipal government prioritizes people-centered development, ensuring safety, security, and enhanced quality of life. The city pursues balanced, sustainable economic growth alongside comprehensive welfare policies, aiming for a high quality of life for all citizens.
International Cooperation and Global Connectivity
Cheongju maintains sister-city relations with cities worldwide, including Wuhan, Huzhou, and Wuxi (China); Tottori, Kofu, and Kikuchi (Japan); Bellingham (USA); Rostov-na-Donu (Russia); Wroclaw (Poland); and Zavkhan Province (Mongolia). These partnerships provide a vital foundation for promoting economic, cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation.
Notably, Cheongju’s cooperation with Haiphong (Vietnam) has advanced significantly. During Techfest Haiphong 2023, multiple agreements were signed between entities of both cities, including Haiphong Department of Science and Technology and Chungbuk Technopark, Chungbuk Free Economic Zone Authority and Haiphong Young Entrepreneurs Association, and Chungbuk Technopark and Haiphong University. These lay the groundwork for expanded collaboration in innovation, technology transfer, and human resource development.
Cheongju – A Heritage City Embracing Innovation
Cheongju is steadily affirming its status as a global city where ancient cultural heritage meets the vitality of innovation. With a comprehensive development strategy, far-sighted vision, and open policies, Cheongju preserves its traditional identity while leading in technology, becoming an attractive destination for investors, tourists, and the international community.