Samsung plans to invest a total of 2,655 trillion won in South Korea to secure leadership in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. The investment will focus on building semiconductor clusters, AI infrastructure, batteries, robotics, and next-generation displays, with the goal of establishing South Korea as a global hub for advanced industries.
On June 29, Samsung announced its domestic investment plan to proactively respond to the rapidly changing technological paradigm of the AI era and to enhance its future competitiveness.
Of the total investment, 203 trillion won will be allocated to developing semiconductor clusters centered around the Pyeongtaek campus and the Yongin national industrial complex. The remaining 625 trillion won will be invested in AI semiconductors, robotics, batteries, and IT components and materials across the Honam, Chungcheong, and Yeongnam regions.
In the Honam region, a total of 425 trillion won will be invested, with 400 trillion won earmarked for the semiconductor sector.
Samsung Electronics plans to build a new semiconductor production facility (Fab) in Gwangju and establish a digital twin-based innovation hub. This initiative aims to create a next-generation semiconductor cluster following the existing ones in Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Yongin, with Gwangju being considered a strong candidate due to its potential for securing power and water resources, workforce training, and living conditions. Once established, the Gwangju semiconductor cluster is expected to become a key hub alongside the metropolitan area, driving the domestic semiconductor industry. Additionally, Samsung Electronics plans to set up a digital twin-based innovation hub factory for smart appliances and production facilities for AI data center heat pumps and air conditioning units at the Gwangju site.
Samsung SDS will develop an AI data center in Haenam, Jeonnam, to establish sovereign AI infrastructure. Sovereign AI refers to an AI ecosystem developed and controlled independently by the country, reducing reliance on overseas big tech. The Haenam AI data center will serve as a support hub for the government's AI transition (AX) initiatives, while also enhancing R&D capabilities at universities, research institutions, and companies, and supporting industrial physical AI applications. Samsung C&T will invest in solar power generation facilities, hydrogen production facilities based on nuclear power, and a green hydrogen demonstration complex in the Honam region. Samsung Electronics plans to build a global state-of-the-art logistics center in Gochang, Jeonbuk.
In the Chungcheong region, a total of 140 trillion won will be invested.
Samsung Electronics will invest 56 trillion won in Cheonan and Onyang to establish advanced high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production facilities. Samsung Display plans to invest 67 trillion won in Asan to create production bases for displays for foldable smartphones and ultra-high-resolution micro-displays. Micro-displays, which are ultra-small high-resolution displays under one inch, are considered key components for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) devices. Samsung SDI will establish a global mother factory for next-generation batteries in Cheonan, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to set up advanced package substrate production lines for AI servers in Sejong.
In the Yeongnam region, a total of 60 trillion won will be invested.
Samsung Electronics will build a mother factory in Gumi that will serve as a global manufacturing innovation hub for smartphones and establish production lines for physical AI and humanoid robots. Samsung SDS plans to construct an AI data center in Gumi. Samsung Electro-Mechanics will expand investments in next-generation IT devices and multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) for automotive applications in Busan, while Samsung SDI will enhance battery production capacity for solid-state batteries and energy storage systems (BESS) in Ulsan. Samsung Heavy Industries plans to establish a high-value-added shipbuilding hub in Geoje.
Through this investment, Samsung aims to strengthen the ecosystem for future industries such as semiconductors, AI, energy, and robotics, fostering South Korea as a global advanced industrial cluster.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, stated at the 'Korea's Great Leap: National Report Meeting on Mega Projects' held at the Blue House, "Despite active investments from semiconductor companies, including Samsung, the market views that it is insufficient to meet the explosive demand. Therefore, the investment timeline for the Yongin national industrial complex has been significantly accelerated, and the time to prepare for new complexes has also been moved forward."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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