Yongin City Wins "Global City Brand" Grand Prize... Leaps Toward World's Largest Semiconductor Cluster

Yongin City Wins Global Semiconductor Leading City Grand Prize at Good City Forum 2026

Highest Praise for Establishing the World's Largest Semiconductor Ecosystem Led by Samsung and SK hynix

Mayor Lee Sangil Urges Central and Gyeonggi Govern

Yongin Special City in Gyeonggi Province has been awarded the "Global City Brand Grand Prize" in recognition of its achievement in building the world's largest semiconductor ecosystem, centered around Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin Special City (third from right), is taking a commemorative photo after receiving the grand prize in the "National Representative Global Semiconductor Leading City" category at the 9th Good City Forum 2026 held on the 26th at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul. Provided by Yongin City

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is delivering his acceptance speech after receiving the Grand Prize in the "National Representative Global Semiconductor Leading City" category at the 9th Good City Forum 2026 held on the 26th at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul. Provided by Yongin City

On the 26th, the city of Yongin announced that it received the grand prize in the "National Representative Global Semiconductor Leading City" category at the 9th Good City Forum 2026, held at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event, supported by the Korean Association for Local Government Studies, was attended by more than 150 people from local governments, academia, and semiconductor company representatives.

Yongin received high marks for establishing an industrial ecosystem encompassing semiconductor production, research, materials, components, equipment, and talent development, based on major investments from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, as well as for enhancing the city's competitiveness by attracting domestic and international companies.

In Yongin, Samsung Electronics is building six production facilities in the Idong and Namsa-eup Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex and the Giheung Campus Future Research Complex, while SK hynix is constructing four production facilities in the Wonsam-myeon Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex. These three complexes were designated as national advanced strategic industry specialized complexes for semiconductors in July 2023.

Four of the world's top semiconductor equipment companies are also gathering in Yongin. The Korean subsidiaries of ASML of the Netherlands, Applied Materials and Lam Research of the United States, and Tokyo Electron of Japan have confirmed investments in Yongin. Both domestic and overseas companies specializing in semiconductor materials, parts, equipment, and design have either decided to invest or are considering moving into the city.

Yongin is also constructing a "mass production-linked mini fab (Trinity Fab)" allowing semiconductor companies to test new technologies and verify mass production feasibility. The city plans to open a provisional "Yongin Semiconductor High School" in March 2027, which will then be converted into a Meister vocational high school the following year. In addition, a "Semiconductor Advanced Program" is being operated in cooperation with Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST).

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "Yongin has shed its old image of unplanned development and established itself as a global semiconductor hub." He continued, "We will successfully carry out large-scale semiconductor projects while simultaneously promoting advancements in areas directly related to citizens' lives—such as transportation, education, culture and the arts, sports, and welfare." He also remarked, "Reflecting on the significance of this award, we will join forces and wisdom with citizens to make Yongin an even better place to live and a warm, vibrant community."

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is giving a presentation on the theme "The Future Drawn by Yongin Renaissance 2.0" at the 9th Good City Forum 2026 held on the 26th at the Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul. Provided by Yongin City

On the 26th, Lee Sangil, mayor of Yongin Special City, participated in the discussion after completing his keynote presentation at the 9th Good City Forum 2026 held at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul. Provided by Yongin City

Mayor Lee Sang-il Announces "Yongin Renaissance 2.0" at Good City Forum... "Central Government Should Actively Mediate Power Transmission and Water Pipeline Disputes"

During his presentation that day titled "The Future Drawn by Yongin Renaissance 2.0", Mayor Lee emphasized the importance of the central government's role in ensuring the timely supply of electricity and water needed to operate the semiconductor industrial complexes.

Mayor Lee explained, "With the development of Samsung Electronics' national industrial complex site delayed by more than six months, Samsung Electronics has advanced the operation date for part of its first production facility from the second half of 2030 to the second half of 2029." He added, "We need to expedite site development so that construction of production facilities can begin in the second half of next year."

He also stressed the need to promptly resolve the issues regarding the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in the national industrial complex and the laying of a water pipeline from the Paldang Dam to provide electricity to Samsung Electronics' first and second production facilities. As some neighboring cities are opposed to the pipeline, he insisted the central government and Gyeonggi Province should step in to resolve the conflict.

He further stated that urgent action is required to resolve the power transmission issues for Samsung Electronics’ third to sixth, and SK hynix's third and fourth production facilities. He also argued that the central government must ensure the second phase of water supply from Paldang Dam proceeds without a hitch.

Mayor Lee went on, "To ensure the successful development of the national industrial complex, Yongin City proposed and accomplished measures such as exemption from preliminary feasibility studies, expansion of capital gains tax reductions for resettlers, expanded land compensation, and designated industrial parks for migrants and relocated companies." He continued, "It is now time for the current administration to actively address the remaining challenges, including reliable supply of power and water."

He explained that since 1983, when Samsung Electronics' Giheung Campus became Korea's first semiconductor manufacturing site, the related ecosystem in Yongin and southern Gyeonggi Province has been forming for more than 40 years.

He also called for government support for companies engaged in semiconductor materials, parts, equipment, and design.

Mayor Lee commented, "Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have been able to secure global competitiveness because clusters of materials, parts, and equipment companies are located nearby, allowing rapid response to any production process issues." He stressed, "The government needs to actively implement policies to enhance the competitiveness not only of anchor companies but also of materials, parts, equipment, and design companies."

He emphasized, "Yongin's semiconductor projects are not only about the region's future but are national projects directly linked to the South Korean economy. The city of Yongin will cooperate fully with central government bodies and organizations such as Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH) to provide all necessary administrative support."

Mayor Lee reaffirmed, "Yongin has cast off its image of haphazard development and established itself as a global semiconductor hub. We will not only push forward with mega-scale semiconductor projects but also realize the 'Yongin Renaissance' through advances in areas directly related to daily life for citizens, such as transportation, education, culture and the arts, sports, and welfare."

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