The role of the state in qualitative growth - a consideration of regional innovation clusters in Gangwon province (South Korea)

Abstract

Among the more recent instruments of spatial planning in South Korea is the designation of innovation clusters. Gangwon province, a partner province of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation, has designated three clusters for life sciences/biotechnology, new materials and medical science. Given the enormous center-periphery problems in Korea, where the capital region (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi province) comprises nearly than half of the population of the country, such strategies to implement high technology production into the province are understandable. However, can it be successful and sustainable? This paper discusses the cluster strategy of Gangwon province and the challenges of innovation clusters in a peripheral region.