On the evening of February 19, 2026, Pohang City took a decisive step toward economic revitalization and community stability by convening a major progress report meeting focused on securing the city’s share of South Korea’s 2027 national investment budget. The session, chaired by Acting Mayor Jang Sang-gil, brought together city officials and department heads to lay out a systematic, forward-looking strategy for attracting much-needed national funds. The stakes were high: with the region’s main industries facing economic headwinds, Pohang’s leadership is betting that robust public investment can be the spark that reignites local growth and protects everyday livelihoods.
The numbers discussed at the meeting were nothing short of ambitious. According to Seoul Economic TV, Pohang City has already identified 271 projects it hopes to secure national funding for in 2027. The combined value of these projects? A staggering 1.4252 trillion Korean won. Of these, 75 are brand-new initiatives, representing 209.6 billion won, while 196 are ongoing efforts, totaling 1.2156 trillion won. The city’s approach is clear: balance continuity with innovation, ensuring that both established and emerging sectors get the support they need.
So what are these projects? The list includes some truly cutting-edge ventures. Among the headline-grabbing new proposals are the Pohang Steel AX Demonstration Complex Construction Project, the K-Next Generation Electric Propulsion Ship Global Innovation Zone Project, and the Pohang Fisheries Aquaculture Smart Equipment Cluster Project. Each of these aims squarely at strengthening Pohang’s future industrial competitiveness, particularly in fields where the city believes it can lead not just regionally, but globally.
But it’s not all about high-tech. Large-scale social overhead capital (SOC) projects, such as the long-anticipated Yeongilman Cross-Sea Bridge, are also high on the city’s priority list. Follow-up projects for specialized battery, hydrogen, and bio-industrial complexes are being positioned as strategic investments that dovetail with broader government policy directions. The goal, city officials say, is twofold: stimulate the local economy and ensure sound fiscal management, all while keeping the needs of ordinary citizens front and center.
“In times of economic downturn and industrial difficulty, securing national and provincial funds for public investment must serve as the priming water for stabilizing people’s lives,” Acting Mayor Jang emphasized during the session, as reported by Seoul Economic TV. He called on all city employees to “take responsibility and actively discover essential projects that citizens can truly feel, doing their utmost until the final budget is reflected.”
This sense of urgency is driving Pohang’s next steps. Starting in March 2026, the city plans to dispatch delegations to central government ministries and the National Assembly on a regular basis. Their mission? To make the case for Pohang’s projects, demonstrating their feasibility and value not just for the city, but for the nation as a whole. By the end of April, the city aims to have completed a detailed analysis of each ministry’s business plans and public project competitions, with the hope of discovering even more new projects to add to the roster.
This proactive, almost campaign-like approach is a direct response to the region’s economic challenges. Pohang’s core industries—especially steel and manufacturing—have struggled amid global shifts and domestic slowdowns. City leaders believe that a well-timed injection of public investment can provide a much-needed cushion, helping local businesses weather tough times and positioning the area for future growth when the economic winds shift.
It’s not just the municipal government mobilizing for the future. The Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, under the stewardship of Chairman Na Ju-young, has also launched a key initiative aimed at boosting local export competitiveness. On February 13, 2026, the Chamber announced the recruitment of a service provider for the 2026 OK FTA Consulting Support Project, an effort run by the Gyeongbuk Eastern FTA Trade Promotion Center. The project’s application window is open from February 13 to March 4, 2026, and it seeks customs corporations and offices with deep expertise in free trade agreements (FTA) and international trade operations.
The consulting services on offer are tailored to the needs of Pohang’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those looking to expand into export markets. Services include comprehensive consulting for export (or soon-to-be export) companies, origin certification consulting, and origin verification for partner firms. The project’s broader aim is to resolve difficulties that local businesses face in utilizing FTAs—often a complex and technical process—and to strengthen their export competitiveness overall.
According to Straight News Daegu Gyeongbuk, the selection process for the consulting provider will be rigorous, with a focus on proven experience and the availability of specialized personnel. Interested firms can find more details and application procedures on the websites of the Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Gyeongbuk Eastern FTA Trade Promotion Center. For those with questions, the Chamber has set up a dedicated inquiry line at 054-270-1234.
These two parallel efforts—one led by the city government, the other by the local business community—underscore a shared recognition: in today’s uncertain climate, no single actor can go it alone. Public and private sectors must work hand in hand, pooling resources, expertise, and energy to secure a better future for Pohang. It’s a strategy rooted in pragmatism but also in hope, a belief that with the right investments and the right partnerships, even the stiffest economic headwinds can be navigated.
Of course, challenges remain. The process of securing national funds is fiercely competitive, with cities and provinces across South Korea vying for a slice of the budgetary pie. Pohang’s leaders know they’ll need more than just good ideas—they’ll need compelling pitches, robust data, and the ability to demonstrate real, measurable impact. The consulting support program, meanwhile, will have to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that local SMEs not only understand the ins and outs of FTAs but can actually use them to grow their businesses.
Yet, there’s a palpable sense of momentum in Pohang. The city’s approach—combining strategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and a willingness to engage directly with both government and industry—offers a model for other regions facing similar challenges. As Acting Mayor Jang put it, “All public officials must take responsibility and actively discover essential projects that citizens can truly feel, doing their utmost until the final budget is reflected.” The coming months will reveal just how effective these efforts prove to be, but for now, Pohang is moving forward with determination—and a clear plan.