Kim Kyung-hee, Mayor of Icheon, "Focusing on Semiconductor Industry Development for an Advanced Future City"

Icheon City Launches 'Advanced Future City Promotion Team' to Draft Blueprint
Efforts to Attract High Value-Added Industries Such as Drones, Mobility, and AI

Gyeonggi-do Icheon City has begun to actively draft a future urban development strategy centered on semiconductors. With the launch of the 'Advanced Future City Promotion Team' this month, the city plans to make the semiconductor industry and high value-added information and communication technology (ICT) industries its future growth engines.

On the 14th, Kim Kyung-hee, mayor of Icheon City, presented the city administration plan for the next year, which focuses primarily on fostering the semiconductor industry.

"We will focus on workforce development, ecosystem strengthening, and regulatory relief to nurture the semiconductor industry."

Mayor Kim identified key projects including ▲training semiconductor specialists ▲strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem ▲discovering cooperative projects with Yongin City ▲and resolving regulations.

Kim Kyung-hee, Mayor of Icheon (fourth from the left), is signing an agreement to promote the 'Semiconductor Contract Department' for semiconductor workforce training with various local companies and institutions.
[Photo by Icheon City]

First, to cultivate semiconductor specialists, the city plans to operate related educational programs, prepare employment linkage programs for youth and students, and offer training programs for current workers.

Additionally, through a semiconductor company council, the city will actively identify industry needs and support co-growth among companies by aiding technology development. The city intends to provide full support for the growth of SK Hynix as well as various semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies.

Notably, cooperation with Yongin City is a key focus. During the gap period before the full operation of the 'Wonsam Yongin Semiconductor Cluster' and the 'Idong-Namsa Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex' in the Yongin area, the city plans to explore active support and cooperation measures based on SK Hynix’s research and production facilities to help semiconductor companies maintain global competitiveness.

Mayor Kim also pointed out the excessive overlapping regulations in the Han River watershed as a critical issue. He expressed determination to continuously request regulatory easing from the government to remove obstacles hindering corporate growth.

"Actively attract high value-added ICT... Accelerate development of station areas and creation of smart cities"

Earlier this month, Mayor Kim rolled up his sleeves to attract high value-added ICT industries such as semiconductors, drones, mobility, artificial intelligence (AI), and defense industries, centered around the newly reorganized 'Advanced Future City Promotion Team.' The promotion team, launched as a temporary organization, consists of two departments and six teams, including the Advanced Strategic Industry Division and the Future City Division, tasked with drawing the blueprint for Icheon City’s future development.

Mayor Kim stated, "If advanced companies wishing to establish themselves in Icheon City knock on the promotion team’s door at any time, we will prepare ways to actively support them."

A bird's-eye view of the 'Semiconductor Park' planned by Icheon City. [Image source=Icheon City]

Kim Kyung-hee, mayor of Icheon City, said, “Through this organizational restructuring, we will focus on fostering advanced industries and the mobility industry to secure urban competitiveness, and actively promote key issues of the 8th elected administration to lead the creation of a happy Icheon for its citizens.”

The promotion team is also tasked with actively responding to the government’s rejection in July of the city’s bid for additional designation as a 'National Advanced Strategic Industry Specialized Complex.' The team plans to form a 'one team' with the offices of members of the National Assembly, SK Hynix, and the Icheon branch of the Ceramic Technology Institute to concentrate all administrative capabilities in response.

The promotion team will also prepare long-term city development plans including station area development, smart cities, urban regeneration, and urban design.

The core axis of urban development is the Gyeonggang Line subway. The plan is to develop Icheon Station as a commercial area, Sindun Station as a cultural area, and Bubal Station as a future advanced area. The Icheon station area’s district unit plan was finalized in August 2020. On a 144,000㎡ site around the station area, two apartment complexes with 1,822 households will be constructed. Construction began early this year and is scheduled for completion in 2026.

The Sindun station area, covering 211,000㎡, is undergoing zoning designation and development planning to build 2,581 apartment units. Additionally, the Bubal station area plans to request zoning designation and development plan approval from Gyeonggi-do within the year to build 4,328 housing units on a 524,000㎡ site.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.