Gyeongsangnam-do has marked a groundbreaking milestone by officially opening the first overseas office of any wide-area local government in Paris, France, on June 19, 2025. This strategic move aims to firmly establish the province’s presence in the European market and accelerate its global outreach, particularly in high-value industries such as aerospace, defense, and nuclear power.
Governor Park Wan-soo led the Gyeongnam delegation during the opening ceremony held in Paris, a city that stands as the heart of the European aerospace industry with the headquarters of Airbus and the European Space Agency (ESA). The event attracted key figures including Kim Byeong-jun, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in France; Kim Joong-ho, Chairman of the Korea-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and members of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, Choi Young-ho and Park Jun.
Governor Park expressed strong optimism about the office's role, stating, "Europe has many companies with advanced technology and capital, and we expect increased investment and industry-academia cooperation for local companies. The Paris office will serve as a central hub connecting Gyeongsangnam-do and Europe, playing a pivotal role in creating tangible outcomes in investment, trade, culture, and tourism."
The establishment of the Paris office expands Gyeongsangnam-do's global footprint, now operating seven overseas offices, including locations in the United States, China (two offices), Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Notably, it is the first among South Korea’s 17 metropolitan and provincial governments to open an office in Paris, underscoring its ambition to lead in international engagement.
Consul General Kim Byeong-jun highlighted the significance of the move in line with Korea’s national strategy, saying, "The opening of the Gyeongnam Paris office is a very appropriate measure for strengthening Korea’s presence in Europe’s high-value industries such as aerospace and defense. The French Embassy and the Gyeongnam Paris office will work as a team to collaborate on trade and technical exchanges, and the embassy will actively support these efforts."
Following the opening ceremony, Gyeongnam Province hosted an investment briefing session at the Paris InterContinental Hotel, attended by over 100 representatives from French companies. The session introduced Gyeongnam's industrial base and investment conditions, particularly emphasizing its strategic industries like aerospace. The province aims to discover promising investment opportunities and forge partnerships with global companies, reinforcing its commitment to mutual growth.
Gyeongnam’s strategic industries—space technology, defense, and nuclear power—are well aligned with Europe’s industrial strengths, particularly in France. This synergy is expected to open doors for local companies to enter the European market more effectively. The Paris office will spearhead efforts to build networks with key European companies and institutions, participate in international exhibitions, dispatch trade delegations, and facilitate industry-academia collaboration and human resource development.
Moreover, the office will promote Gyeongnam's traditional culture and tourism resources across major European cities, broadening the scope of international exchange beyond economics to include cultural and people-to-people ties. This multi-dimensional approach aims to create a comprehensive platform for sustained cooperation and mutual benefit.
Europe, being the world's third-largest economic bloc after the United States and China, holds significant strategic importance for Gyeongnam. The province plans to customize investment attraction efforts according to the specific characteristics of major European countries, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of its outreach.
Governor Park further emphasized the broader vision, stating, "By opening the Paris office, we are laying the groundwork for economic cooperation, tourism exchange, and human resource networks with various European countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Germany. This will be a vital step toward deeper international collaboration."
This initiative is not just about business expansion but also about fostering sustainable international relationships that can support the growth of Gyeongnam’s industries while contributing to the local economy. The province’s efforts to promote international exchanges in trade, tourism, and education demonstrate a holistic approach to globalization.
In tandem with these international efforts, Gyeongsangnam-do also began distributing its 2025 agricultural and fishing subsidies on June 20, 2025. This year, the province allocated 73.8 billion KRW to support 246,000 farmers and fishermen, providing 300,000 KRW per person. The payment period was advanced by about a month compared to the previous year to deliver timely assistance.
Subsidy payments are made through various methods depending on local conditions, including cash bank transfers, Nonghyup Check Card point top-ups, regional love gift certificates, and prepaid cards. Thanks to a recent revision of the relevant ordinance, cash payments are now possible, offering greater flexibility to recipients.
Lee Jeong-gon, Director of Gyeongnam’s Agricultural Policy Bureau, expressed hope that the subsidies will provide practical support to those working in the agricultural and fishing sectors and contribute to revitalizing the regional economy. He also reminded recipients using the Nonghyup Check Card points to utilize their benefits by December 31, 2025, as unused points will expire.
In summary, Gyeongsangnam-do’s opening of its Paris office represents a strategic leap forward in its internationalization efforts, especially in the European market. By leveraging France’s position as a hub for aerospace and related industries, the province seeks to boost investment, trade, cultural exchange, and tourism. Coupled with robust domestic support for its agricultural and fishing communities, Gyeongnam demonstrates a balanced approach to growth that integrates global ambition with local welfare.
