Sejong: Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan visited the country's central region Friday and discussed ways to promote balanced regional development by nurturing cutting-edge industries across the country, his office said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during his trip to the administrative capital of Sejong, about 110 kilometers south of Seoul, Kim held a meeting with officials from secondary battery companies, including LG Energy Solution Ltd., and display makers, such as Samsung SDI Co., whose factories are located in the area. Participants discussed government policy initiatives related to the sector, including investment and manpower procurement, as well as research and development (R and D) expansions.

Kim also presided over a meeting on the government's plan to apply artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to the nation's key industrial complexes. The minister's trip comes in line with the government's broader national strategy to promote balanced regional development by reorganizing the country into five major regional blocs, along with three special self-governing provinces.