Gwangju Military Airport Site Designated as Candidate for National Semiconductor Industrial Complex... 800 Trillion Won Project Gains Momentum

Government Policy Committee Approves on July 29

Semiconductor Fab Completion by Samsung and SK Targeted for June 2030

Advanced Corporate City Integrating Production, Research, and Residential Functions

The site for the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport, covering 2.5 million pyeong, has been designated as a candidate location for the Honam region’s Advanced National Semiconductor Industrial Complex, selected as a future growth engine by the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City (hereafter referred to as the Special City). The project to create a semiconductor mega-cluster valued at approximately 800 trillion won has also entered full swing.

On July 29, the Special City expressed a strong welcome regarding the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Industrial Location Policy Review and Resolution Committee’s decision; the committee finalized Gwangju Military Airport as a candidate site for the Honam region’s Advanced National Semiconductor Industrial Complex.

This designation came as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy requested the establishment of a national industrial complex, reflecting the large-scale investment demand from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

A panoramic view of the Gwangju Military Airport site. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport selected the military airport site as the final candidate after a comprehensive review of business investment scale, industrial necessity, and other relevant factors.

The Special City expects that this new national industrial complex will not be a mere factory site but will be developed into a future-oriented corporate city. It is envisioned to combine production, research and development (R&D), and enterprise support functions—with residential, educational, cultural, and transportation infrastructure as well. The goal is to establish a global industrial ecosystem centered on semiconductor fabs, bringing together materials, components, and equipment (so-called “SoBuJang”) companies, partner firms, and research institutes in one place.

To this end, the Special City plans to strengthen cooperation among the government, project implementers, and related organizations so that follow-up procedures—such as national industrial complex designation, industrial complex plan approval, environmental and traffic impact assessments, land compensation, and infrastructure construction—can proceed smoothly. The city also intends to swiftly resolve administrative difficulties encountered during corporate investment processes to accelerate the investment timeline as much as possible.

In particular, the administrative support system will be fully mobilized to align with the investment schedules of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, aiming for completion of a world-class semiconductor fabrication facility (fab) by June 2030. Moving forward, the city plans to continue discussions with the government on developing an advanced business city equipped with residential, educational, and cultural facilities, along with further expansions of the industrial complex.

Minhyeong Bae, Mayor of the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, stated, “The designation of the Gwangju Military Airport site as a candidate location for the national industrial complex marks a historic starting point that will create a new axis of growth for Korea’s semiconductor industry. The government, businesses, and related organizations will work together as one team to develop this as a key semiconductor hub representing Korea.”

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