Chairman Yoon Jaeho Calls for 'Supplementary Semiconductor Cluster' to Achieve Balanced National Development

Strategic Redistribution to Gumi Essential to Address Infrastructure Mismatch in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Gumi, Equipped with Power, Water, and Land, Proposes Realization of Balanced National Development

Yoon Jaeho, Chairman of the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in North Gyeongsang Province, issued a statement on January 28, highlighting the current mismatch between hardware (infrastructure such as power and water) and software (talent) faced by the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. He strongly urged a strategic redistribution of facilities to Gumi as a solution.

In his statement, Chairman Yoon posed a fundamental question regarding the establishment of a semiconductor industry hub: "Which should come first-talent or infrastructure?"

He stated, "We must face the reality that the Yongin Cluster, which is competing for global technological leadership, is encountering issues with power and water supply," and emphasized, "Resolving the mismatch between hardware and software is key to the economic development of South Korea."

Yun Jaeho, Chairman of Gyeongbuk Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Photo by Kim Ihwan

He made it clear that the proposal is not to scrap the Yongin Cluster, but rather to adopt a 'local production for local consumption' model by building supplementary clusters in regional areas to bridge the gaps arising during the investment process.

He also presented specific figures to explain why Gumi is the optimal supplementary solution.

▲ Energy Security: North Gyeongsang Province’s power self-sufficiency rate exceeds 200%, and when the LNG power plant in the Gumi Industrial Complex is operational, its electricity self-sufficiency rate rises to 38%. This is the key to resolving chronic transmission network conflicts and fiscal burdens in the Seoul metropolitan area.

▲ Abundant Resources: The region already has infrastructure for industrial water based on the Nakdong River and for producing ultrapure water.

▲ Robust Ecosystem: More than 340 companies specializing in materials, components, and equipment are concentrated in the area, and there is ample potential for expansion as a city supporting the new airport.

Regarding talent acquisition, which is often cited as a weakness of regional areas, he proposed a two-track strategy. This involves fostering talent through local universities such as Kumoh National Institute of Technology, POSTECH, and DGIST, while also implementing bold tax incentives such as income tax reductions for employees working in regional areas to attract talent from the Seoul metropolitan area.

Chairman Yoon stated, "Having multiple oxygen tanks for South Korea’s semiconductor industry is the shortcut to becoming a world-class powerhouse," and added, "Distributing semiconductor fabs to the well-prepared Gumi Industrial Complex is the true realization of balanced national development."

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