Will Development of the Southwestern Semiconductor Cluster Gain Momentum? On-Site Inspection by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan Following SK Chairman Chey Tae-won

【Financial News, Jeonnam-Gwangju = Hwang Tae-jong, Reporter】Following SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won’s visit on the 9th, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan visited the site of Gwangju Air Base, where the southwestern semiconductor cluster is planned, on the 12th, raising hopes that the project will pick up speed.
 According to Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (Gwangju Special City), the Gwangju Air Base site offers favorable conditions, including a large, flat area and proximity to regional transport links such as Gwangju Songjeong Station.
 In particular, the site designated for the ammunition depot’s relocation is being prioritized for consideration to allow companies to begin construction early, and plans for supplying land in phases are under discussion.
 Minister Kim visited the Gwangju Air Base site that day to assess conditions for developing the southwestern semiconductor cluster and review plans to supply key infrastructure, including land, electricity and water. Those accompanying him on the site visit included Son Kyung-jong, vice chair of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Semiconductor Strategy Committee; Eun-ok Jeon, Gwangju Special City’s semiconductor industry support policy officer; and officials from the Air Force, Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Water Resources Corporation.
 At the Air Force unit’s control tower, Minister Kim received a briefing on the Gwangju Air Base site, followed by reports on Korea Land and Housing Corporation’s plans to supply industrial land and Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Water Resources Corporation’s plans to supply electricity and water.
 He then discussed key issues with relevant agencies before visiting the site designated for the ammunition depot’s relocation to examine conditions there and the possibility of supplying the land early.
 Minister Kim said, "Please do everything possible to ensure that land development, the reliable provision of electricity and water infrastructure, and efforts to gain residents’ acceptance are all in place so that corporate investments can proceed on schedule." He added, "We plan to develop concrete support measures for semiconductor materials, parts and equipment, research and development (R&D), and talent development so that major corporate investments in the southwest can help expand the region’s industrial ecosystem."


 Earlier, on the 9th, despite the public holiday for Hangul Day, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won visited Gwangju Air Base and the site designated for the ammunition depot’s relocation to review preparations for developing a semiconductor cluster in the Honam region. Accompanying him on the site visit were Min Hyung-bae, mayor of Gwangju Special City, and officials from the Air Force and SK Group. They focused on reviewing site preparation conditions for semiconductor plant construction and readiness of key infrastructure, including electricity and water.
 At the Gwangju Air Base control tower, Chairman Chey received a briefing on plans to develop the industrial complex and preparations for key infrastructure, including land, electricity, water and transportation. He also visited the site designated for the ammunition depot’s relocation to inspect conditions firsthand.
 Chairman Chey said that day, "Semiconductor demand is growing faster than expected, so we need to hurry to expand production facilities. We brought forward the overall construction schedule for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster by 12 years, but even that is expected to be insufficient." He added, "Going forward, we may have to build factories concurrently in Yongin and Jeonnam-Gwangju."
 He also stressed, "This visit is to see firsthand how quickly factories can be built in Jeonnam-Gwangju," adding, "We will build them as quickly as possible."
 Gwangju Special City expects development of the southwestern semiconductor cluster to pick up even more speed, as Minister Kim returned to the site just three days after Chairman Chey visited the Gwangju Air Base site on the 9th and expressed his commitment to starting semiconductor plant construction early and completing it quickly.
 Eun-ok Jeon, the semiconductor industry support policy officer, said, "Following SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan has also visited the site in person, and we expect development of the southwestern semiconductor cluster to pick up even more speed." She added, "We will work closely with the government and relevant agencies to ensure that the land companies need is supplied in line with their investment schedules and that infrastructure, including electricity and water, is built without disruption."
 She added, "We will also work to expand transport infrastructure and improve living conditions, including housing, education and medical care, so that the investment environment for companies continues to improve."

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