Yongin Mayor Lee Sangil: "We Must Accelerate to Maintain Global Leadership in Semiconductors"

Visit to Construction Site with Hampyeong County Delegation and SK hynix

Sharing Administrative Expertise in Industrial Complex Development and Company Attraction

SK hynix to Build Four Fabs in Yongin Cluster

First Phase Fab Scheduled for Completion in February 2027

Mayor Lee Sang-il: "Semiconductors Are the Core of the Future Economy"

On October 2, Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, visited the SK hynix Yongin Semiconductor Cluster construction site with the delegation from Hampyeong County, Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Metropolitan City. He stated, "For South Korea's semiconductor industry to maintain a formidable lead and secure its competitive edge on the global stage, we must accelerate our efforts."

Yisangil, mayor of Yongin Special City, is discussing the semiconductor industry with a delegation from Hampyeong County, Jeollanam-do, including County Governor Namoh Lee, at the SK hynix Yongin Semiconductor Cluster Promotion Center in Wonsam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, on the 2nd. Provided by Yongin City.

The visit brought together more than 30 participants, including Nam-O Lee, County Governor of Hampyeong County; Park Jungho, CEO of Yongin General Industrial Complex Co., Ltd.; and Jang Hyosik, Vice President of SK Ecoplant. This event was arranged in response to a request made by the county governor during Mayor Lee's visit to the sister city of Hampyeong County on August 31, when he expressed interest in learning from Yongin's world-leading semiconductor industrial complex development case.

Participants received a briefing on the status of the development and construction of the industrial complex and the first semiconductor production facility (fab) at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster Exhibition Hall in Jukneung-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, before touring the construction site itself.

Mayor Lee said, "The semiconductor industry is the most critical sector supporting the Korean economy and is a key driver for the future economy in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Hampyeong County is close to the Gwangju military airport and has a transportation infrastructure that is relatively well-established compared to neighboring cities, so I believe it can become a strong base for companies specializing in semiconductor materials, components, and equipment."

He also emphasized, "For South Korea's semiconductor industry to consistently maintain its advantage and achieve a significant lead on the global stage, we must move even faster. Yongin City is working closely with SK hynix and providing strong administrative support."

The Hampyeong County delegation asked about the role of local governments and the administrative procedures involved in establishing a foundation for the semiconductor industry. Mayor Lee shared Yongin City's experience in supporting the rapid advancement of the semiconductor project and also provided advice on strategies to attract companies.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is touring the SK hynix semiconductor fab construction site on the 2nd along with the Hampyeong County delegation, including County Governor Namoh Lee. Provided by Yongin City

Mayor Lee said, "When attracting companies involved with materials, components, and equipment, it is important to develop incentives that will appeal to them. Hampyeong should take full advantage of its relatively lower land prices compared to the metropolitan area." He stressed the need to proactively prepare solutions for securing construction workforce, commuting transportation, and accommodation challenges as well.

The Yongin Semiconductor Cluster is being developed as an industrial complex spanning approximately 4.16 million square meters (1.26 million pyeong). SK hynix will invest around 600 trillion won to construct four state-of-the-art fabs and establish a semiconductor ecosystem where companies in materials, components, and equipment will also participate.

SK hynix plans to construct four three-story fabs in two phases at this site. The first phase fab is targeted for completion by February 2027, and the project is currently underway.

The first fab under construction will serve as a hub for producing next-generation memory semiconductors such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The first phase is progressing with a goal of completion by February 2027.

Mayor Lee remarked, "A major transformation is unfolding in Yongin. I hope that Hampyeong County will gain much inspiration and wisdom from Yongin's expertise in administration and know-how in developing semiconductor industrial complexes."

Sang-il Lee, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is taking a commemorative photo with a delegation from Hampyeong County, including County Governor Nam-oh Lee, after touring the SK hynix semiconductor fab construction site on the 2nd. Provided by Yongin City

Meanwhile, on the following day, October 3, the Hampyeong County delegation will attend both the '2026 Korea Joayong Character Festival' and the 'Yongin Citizens' Day celebration for the 30th anniversary of the city's elevation,' which will take place at Yongin Mir Stadium as part of their schedule.

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