A 2.5 million-pyeong site at the Gwangju military airport has been designated as a candidate location for an advanced national industrial complex for semiconductors in the Honam region. The government plans to consider further expanding the complex so it can also accommodate partner companies, research institutions, and housing and education facilities, in addition to the actual demand sites of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 29th that, after deliberation and resolution by the Industrial Location Policy Committee, it designated approximately 2.5 million pyeong encompassing the Gwangju military airport site as a candidate location for an advanced national industrial complex for semiconductors in the Honam region.
The designation of this candidate site is part of three mega projects pursued by the government. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to designate a national industrial complex based on the investment demand of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, and the Industrial Location Policy Committee, composed of relevant ministries and private experts, finalized the candidate site after comprehensively reviewing the need to create a national industrial complex and the investment demand of corporations.
The 2.5 million pyeong designated as a candidate site reflects the demand for production facilities by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The government plans to swiftly review and push for additional expansion of the site to build a national industrial complex with an industrial ecosystem where not only semiconductor production facilities but also partner companies and research institutions can cluster and grow.
The government also plans to develop the complex beyond a typical national industrial complex centered on production facilities into a corporate-type advanced city equipped with housing, education, culture, and transportation functions. The idea is to create a residential environment preferred by corporations and workers and to develop the city by consolidation of major facilities with transportation infrastructure so that industrial and living functions are combined.
The government will push follow-up procedures, including establishing the industrial complex plan, so it can supply sites in line with the investment schedules of corporations.
Kim Ei-tak, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) Vice Minister, said, "The designation of the 2.5 million-pyeong candidate site is the first step and the full-fledged starting point for creating an advanced national industrial complex for semiconductors in the Honam region," adding, "We plan to fully incorporate not only the actual demand sites for anchor corporations but also an industrial ecosystem where partner companies can grow together, as well as functions such as residential and cultural." Kim added, "We will work closely with corporations, relevant ministries, and local governments to come up with additional expansion plans as soon as possible."