KT&G to invest 180 billion won in Sejong printing plant

Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho, left, poses with KT&G CEO Baek Bok-in after signing a memorandum of understanding on Aug. 26. [KT&G]

KT&G will invest 180 billion won ($133 million) to build a printing factory in Sejong.

The company announced Monday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Sejong on Aug. 26. The investment is part of Sejong’s plan to host factories and offices of various companies in the city to create jobs and revive its local economy.

A factory will be built on a 48,583-square-meter (523,000-square-feet) plot of land in Sejong Mirae Industrial Estate, an industrial complex in Jeonui, Sejong.

KT&G expects construction to be completed by end of 2025. When completed, the plant will be print packages for the company’s cigarette packs and paper boxes.

The plant will be powered by solar energy and have wastewater treatment facilities, which the company says the plant will help it to get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED certifications are issued by the United States Green Building Council and given to buildings that use eco-friendly technologies.

The city said it will swiftly issue permits for construction. It will also speed up other approval processes to add more car lanes and public transport near the factory.

“Our goal is to make Sejong an economically self-sufficient city by welcoming various companies,” said Choi Min-ho, Sejong mayor. “We will help with various administrative approval processes, allowing the investment to be successfully carried out in the city.”

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]