Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, first organizational reorganization in the 9th popular election… Reorganization centered on peace economy, AI, and clean energy

(Chuncheon = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jae-hyun = Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has begun its first organizational reorganization under Woo Sang-ho, the 9th popularly elected provincial government.

The focus was on promoting key pledges of the 9th popular election, such as the peace economy, youth, artificial intelligence (AI), and clean energy.

The province announced on the 8th that it has prepared an 'organizational reorganization plan for the second half of 2026' that includes reallocating functions centered on core policies and integrating similar and overlapping functions.

First, a new Peace and Development Bureau will be established to take charge of the creation of a special peace economic zone and the development of border areas.

The Peace Development Bureau has a Peace Region Development Department, a Peace Special Zone Department, a Regulatory Innovation Department, and an Emergency Planning Department, and is responsible for creating a peace economic zone, developing border areas, military-government cooperation, and improving regulations.

A regional growth bureau will also be established to respond to population decline and youth outflow. Five departments are deployed, including the Regional Development Department, Regional Talent Department, Population and Youth Department, Child Care Department, and Public Institution Attraction Promotion Team.

The AI ​​Data Center Promotion Team (TF), which is in charge of attracting AI data centers and fostering related industries, will be converted into a formal organization at the department level.

The Semiconductor Industry Department and the Digital Industry Department will be integrated into the AI ​​and Semiconductor Industry Department, and the Energy Policy Department will be reorganized into the Clean Energy Department, which will be responsible for promoting the 'Clean Energy Highway'.

The Labor Policy Department will be newly established in the Economic Bureau and the function of the Defense Economic Department, which is in charge of the defense industry, including the Defense Drone Cluster, will be strengthened. The Rural Industry Department will be newly established in the Agricultural Administration Bureau.

At the same time, the name of the Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs will be changed to Vice Governor for Economic Affairs and Political Affairs. It is interpreted as a stepping stone to strengthen internal and external cooperation and coordination functions on major provincial government issues.

The Economic Bureau, Industry Bureau, Construction and Transportation Bureau, and Gangwon Free Economic Zone Authority are placed under the Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs.

With this reorganization, the provincial headquarters will increase from 15 offices, bureaus, and headquarters with 80 departments to 16 offices, bureaus, and headquarters with 86 departments, with six departments per bureau. The number of students will also increase by 74 from 7,051 to 7,125.

The province plans to implement organizational reorganization in accordance with regular personnel appointments in January of next year, following legislative notice, legal review, and deliberation by the Provincial Council.

Governor Woo Sang-ho said, "The purpose of the reorganization is to maintain the stability of the organization and produce results that residents can feel," and added, "We will create an organization that properly executes core projects for Gangwon's future."