According to the evolution of knowledge based economy, the expansion of significance of high-tech and technical innovation, in recent, many of local government of Korea have concern on the establishment and promotion of new growth power such as technopolis, science park, and innovative clusters for regional development. This study focuses on the establishment strategy for R&D special district in Gwangju area. Gwangju area have many potentials in several dimensions; comfortable physical environment, new agglomeration of photonics and household electric industry, the existence of excellent research related manpower, the strong networking with universities, laboratories, and firms. In addition, the establishment of R&D special district in Gwangju area will be provide positive effects in the increase of competitiveness of state, balanced development between regions, revitalization and development of southwestern area, and establishment of innovative clusters for regional development. However, in order to promote and establish the R&D special district of Gwangju area, central and local governments have to concern with some improvements such as the construction of R&D related infrastructure, the strengthening of research activities of research institutes, the building of cluster of strategic industries of Gwangju area, the supporting system for the revitalization of R&D special district.