With the government set to announce its plan to build a regional semiconductor cluster, investment outlines by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in the Honam region are coming into view. While Samsung Electronics has picked the Gwangju Advanced District 3 as a new semiconductor base and entered final coordination, SK hynix is understood to be conducting last-minute reviews of options between Jangseong in South Jeolla Province and overseas investment.
According to the government, political circles, and the semiconductor industry on the 26th, Samsung Electronics is said to be fleshing out an investment plan centered on Gwangju Advanced District 3 in the Honam region and coordinating the details. The industry sees Samsung Electronics as seriously considering building memory chip production facilities in the Gwangju–South Jeolla area.
Gwangju Advanced District 3 has the advantage of linking with artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure such as the national AI data center and an AI convergence complex, and it can secure large industrial sites. In particular, it is evaluated as capable of future expansions based on a shared living sphere and transport network that span Gwangju and Jangseong in South Jeolla.
Multiple sources said, "Samsung Electronics is understood to have settled its investment direction around Gwangju Advanced District 3," and "it is understood to be in final coordination with the government over detailed support measures."
By contrast, SK hynix has not yet finalized a location for its investment, according to reports. While reviewing Jangseong in South Jeolla as a strong candidate, SK hynix is also looking at an overseas option, reportedly comparing overall business viability, customer demand, and subsidies.
Jangseong shares a living sphere with Gwangju Advanced District 3 and is highly rated for its connectivity to research infrastructure such as the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and the national AI data center. Its strengths are said to include the ability to secure large tracts of land and ample room for future expansion, as well as access to South Jeolla's abundant solar and wind renewable energy base and transmission and substation infrastructure. However, SK hynix is reportedly reviewing domestic and overseas investment plans in parallel, taking into account a comprehensive range of factors including responses to global customers, overseas subsidies, and investment efficiency.
The government is pursuing a plan to establish a southern semiconductor belt linked to its "5 major regions and 3 special self-governing provinces" national balanced development strategy. At the "Korea great leap three mega-projects national briefing" to be held at the Blue House on the 29th, large-scale investment plans by regional hubs are expected to be unveiled, including a Honam semiconductor cluster, a Chungcheong AI data center, and a Yeongnam physical AI initiative.
An industry official said, "As the government's balanced development policy aligns with corporations' mid- to long-term investment strategies, the map of regional advanced industries is being redrawn," adding, "If a Honam semiconductor cluster materializes, significant changes are expected in Korea's semiconductor industry landscape, which has centered on the capital area and the Chungcheong region."