Kim Dongyeon Embarks on 70-Day "On-Site Tour for the Livelihood Economy"... Attends TOK Advanced Materials Groundbreaking Ceremony

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim embarked on a 70-day journey of the "On-Site Tour for the Livelihood Economy" on August 20.

On this day, Governor Kim began his first official schedule by attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the TOK Advanced Materials Pyeongtaek Poseung Plant, a site attracting over 100 billion KRW in foreign investment.

TOK Advanced Materials is investing a total of 101 billion KRW to establish high-purity chemical and photoresist manufacturing facilities on a 55,560-square-meter (16,807-pyeong) site at 817-5, Heegok-ri, Poseung-eup. Although the site is currently a barren gravel field, by July next year it will be transformed into a state-of-the-art semiconductor production facility.

Photoresist refers to a photosensitive liquid that is applied to silicon wafers, which are the raw material for semiconductors. It is a key material used to draw semiconductor circuits by exposure to light. Photoresist drew significant attention when it was included in Japan's export restrictions on semiconductors to Korea in the past.

TOK Advanced Materials, the Korean subsidiary of Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK), is the world’s leading photoresist manufacturer, supplying to global companies such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, TSMC, and Intel.

Once the Pyeongtaek plant is completed, Korea’s self-sufficiency rate for photoresist-a core semiconductor material with high dependence on Japan-will increase.

Governor Kim stated, "Semiconductors are an advanced strategic industry that determines national competitiveness, and at the core are materials, components, and equipment," adding, "This groundbreaking marks a significant achievement in making Gyeonggi Province an international hub for semiconductors."

He particularly emphasized, "By securing a stable production base for key materials, we can achieve both supply chain stability and greater technological independence."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is building the world’s largest semiconductor cluster by connecting major semiconductor industrial bases, including Pyeongtaek Poseung and Hyundeok Districts, as well as Yongin, Icheon, Hwaseong, and Anseong. The Poseung and Hyundeok Districts serve as the West Coast gateway and advanced materials hub of the semiconductor belt.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim is attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the new TOK Advanced Materials Pyeongtaek factory on the 20th and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

Governor Kim remarked, "Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is the accelerator pedal toward the 'K-Semiconductor Belt,'" and evaluated, "This ceremony is highly significant in terms of enhancing the completeness of the K-Semiconductor Belt."

He further revealed, "Since taking office as governor, I pledged to attract over 100 trillion KRW in investments, and we have currently achieved 91 trillion KRW. I believe we will reach our goal ahead of schedule in about two months."

He added, "I believe attracting investment will revitalize jobs in Gyeonggi Province and, furthermore, contribute to improving the quality of life for our residents."

After the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Kim moved to the Pyeongtaek Port Marine Center to meet with representatives from automobile and auto parts companies.

Previously, on March 31, Governor Kim met with the automobile industry at Pyeongtaek Port, which was expected to be directly affected by the announcement of U.S. automobile tariffs, listened to their concerns, and convened the Gyeonggi Province Emergency Economic Meeting as a proactive response.

On April 10, he personally visited the United States and met with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, leading to agreements on four items, including establishing channels between Korean parts companies and the three major U.S. automakers.

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