Chey Tae-won’s “Honam Semiconductor” Remarks... Vice Governor Kang Suk-woon of Jeonnam: “It’s Difficult”

Vice Governor Kang: "Industrial Dispersion Needed for the Future"

Sukkyoon Kang, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Jeollanam-do Province, has once again emphasized the need to ease the concentration of the semiconductor industry in the Seoul metropolitan area, referencing recent remarks by Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, regarding the "Honam semiconductor" initiative.

On May 13, Vice Governor Kang stated on his Facebook page, "Semiconductors are no longer just simple factories; they are the foundation of South Korea's economy and industry," adding, "At the national strategic level, there is a need for industrial decentralization and balanced distribution."

He disclosed the ongoing discussions about attracting semiconductor fabs during the Jeonnam Province Corporate Attraction Special Task Force meeting, repeatedly raised during the process, and explained, "Jeonnam Province is preparing response plans for the various conditions proposed by companies."

Kiwoon Kang, Vice Governor for Economy of Jeonnam Province

He continued, "When the issue of electricity supply is resolved, the problem of ultra-pure water emerges. Once the water issue is solved, residential conditions, accessibility to major cities, and workforce concerns surface again," adding, "It is not an easy process, but we are patiently working to create optimal conditions."

He further stated, "If efficiency alone is considered, concentration in the metropolitan area may seem like the right choice. However, when looking at the future of the entire country, other considerations are necessary. Taking into account disasters and accidents, power issues, the climate crisis, and changes in international circumstances, concentration in a specific region can become a risk for the entire national economy."

Vice Governor Kang particularly highlighted the Honam region's competitiveness in renewable energy as a key foundation for attracting semiconductor industry investments.

He emphasized, "Honam possesses one of the largest renewable energy bases in Korea, with Solaseado, offshore wind power, expansive industrial land, the potential for stable electricity supply, and logistics and port infrastructure in the Gwangyang Bay Area. In the AI era, the semiconductor industry ultimately requires massive amounts of electricity, and the ability to supply stable and sustainable power will become a core competitive advantage."

He also called on Samsung and SK to "move beyond the long-standing metropolitan-centric inertia and consider not only corporate efficiency but also the sustainability of Korea's industries and balanced national development."

Vice Governor Kang added, "Decentralizing semiconductor production is not simply a matter of regional allocation; it is about strengthening Korea's economic resilience and preparing for the future. I hope Samsung and SK will regard Honam as a key pillar in Korea's 100-year semiconductor strategy."

Meanwhile, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won recently commented during a National Assembly seminar, "It is true that we need to go where the electricity (Jeonnam) is, but whether a semiconductor plant must be built there is still under consideration."

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