Unbalanced regional growth has recently emerged as a major issue. The capital area surrounding Seoul has a strong infrastructure with plenty of work opportunities, cultural pursuits, and medical services. But it's different story in more rural areas. This has led to vicious cycle of greater concentration of the population in the capital area and even slower growth in other regions.
To address this issue and achieve balanced growth in all regions, the government began forming innovation cities far from Seoul. Various public institutions have been relocated to these innovation cities. Colleges, research centers, businesses, and local government bodies in those areas are encouraged to pool their efforts so that innovation cities can provide a way to drive growth.
10 innovation cities have been developed since the policy was launched in 2007. I hope that it will help to solve the problem of unbalanced regional growth.
vicious cycle - a situation one problem causes another one, making the original problem impossible to solve
address - to give attention to or deal with a matter or problem
- We moved to this city because of the work opportunities. / The internship led to more work opportunities.
- The weather is nice in the fall, but it's different story during the winter. / It's different story where I live.
- Technology continues to drive growth in Korea. / Teenagers are driving growth in that field.
1: Unbalanced regional growth is a hot topic these days.
2: You can say that again.
1: I really do think it's an important issue.
2: I am with you on that.
1: It seems like innovation cities are doing some good.
2: I think so, too. It's a good policy that I am on board with.