Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly considering establishing semiconductor plants in the Honam region, drawing significant industry attention.
On June 8, the Hankyoreh reported that the government and major companies are discussing investment plans outside the capital region, with the proposed semiconductor plants by Samsung and SK Hynix being a key agenda item.
According to the report, potential sites include Gwangju, where a military airport relocation is underway, and Jangseong in Jeollanam-do, where a large-scale data center project is in progress. Industry experts predict that if these plans materialize, new investments worth trillions of won could flow into the Honam region.
Currently, Samsung's major semiconductor production facilities are located in Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong, and Giheung, while SK Hynix operates its production bases primarily in Icheon and Cheongju. Many semiconductor back-end processing and packaging facilities are concentrated in the Chungcheong region.
As a result, industry insiders are paying close attention to the possibility that the new investments may focus on advanced packaging plants or semiconductor back-end processing facilities. With the recent expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market, the importance of advanced packaging technology has surged, increasing the likelihood of attracting related facilities.
Some analysts interpret this review as aligning with President Lee Jae-myung's regional balanced development policy. In fact, voices within the ruling party have consistently argued since last year that the semiconductor industry infrastructure, which has been concentrated in the capital region, should be decentralized to local areas.
President Lee also stated at a press conference marking his first anniversary, "I will soon unveil a large-scale investment project that will bring about a significant shift in our growth strategy," adding, "In addressing the Yeongnam-Honam issue, we need to strike a better balance in favor of Honam."
However, as of now, both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have not made any official statements regarding the establishment of semiconductor plants in Honam. The government has also not disclosed specific investment amounts or timelines.
Meanwhile, the semiconductor industry anticipates that the increasing demand for AI semiconductors and the ongoing global supply chain restructuring could lead to significant changes in the domestic semiconductor landscape, influenced by government industrial policies and corporate investment strategies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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