Osan Mayor Cho Yongho Bets Big on a Semiconductor- and AI-Focused Self-Sufficient City... All-Out Push to Secure 300,000 Pyeong in Segyo 3 District

Osan City to Build Semiconductor Materials, Parts and Equipment Ecosystem Linked to AMAT R&D Center
TechL to Invest 45 Billion Won; PNT to Relocate Headquarters
Investment Support to Be Strengthened with New Corporate One-Stop Support Team

Osan, Gyeonggi Province, is accelerating efforts to build a future-oriented, self-sufficient city centered on the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries. Osan Mayor Cho Yongho is moving to reshape the city’s industrial structure, with key strategies including securing 300,000 pyeong of self-sufficient land in Segyo 3 District, attracting global semiconductor companies, and strengthening support for businesses.

Osan Mayor Jo Yongho (right) poses for a commemorative photo after meeting with semiconductor company representatives to discuss corporate investment and ways to build an industrial ecosystem. Photo provided by Osan City.

According to Osan City on October 22, the city is working to build an industrial ecosystem by clustering semiconductor materials, parts and equipment companies and research and development (R&D) facilities, leveraging its location at the heart of the southern Gyeonggi semiconductor megacluster linking Hwaseong, Yongin and Pyeongtaek.

The key is expanding the self-sufficient land in Segyo 3 District. The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) has proposed 93,000 pyeong of self-sufficient land, but the city says 300,000 pyeong is needed to create a cluster for advanced industries.

In particular, the city plans to attract related companies around the research and development center of Applied Materials (AMAT), a global semiconductor equipment company, which is being built in Gajang-dong near Segyo 3 District, to boost synergies in the semiconductor industry.

Several semiconductor-related companies, including Lam Research Manufacturing Korea, LOT Vacuum and Philoptics, are already based in Osan. Late last year, TechL, a company specializing in semiconductor back-end processes, signed a phased investment agreement worth approximately 45 billion won. The company plans to retain about 220 existing employees and hire around 50 more.

PNT, a company specializing in semiconductor precision metrology, is also building a new headquarters, factory and research center on a site of about 1,000 pyeong in Naesammi-dong. It plans to relocate its headquarters from Yongin to Osan by the second half of 2027.

To turn its success in attracting companies into actual investment and job creation, the city has also established a Corporate One-Stop Support Team in its Corporate and Jobs Division. The team will promptly address challenges companies face during the investment process, including permits, construction and infrastructure, and strengthen cooperation with relevant organizations.

The city plans to operate a Corporate SOS Task Force and a Corporate Field Response Team to hear directly from businesses and help them establish a stable presence even after investing.

Osan Mayor Cho Yongho (second from right) poses for a commemorative photo after meeting with semiconductor industry representatives to discuss corporate investment and ways to build an industrial ecosystem. Photo provided by Osan City.

Mayor Cho said, "Segyo 3 District is attractive to businesses because it is close to Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek Campus and could also be connected to a semiconductor expressway in the future. I will actively explain the area's locational advantages and investment demand to LH and lay the groundwork for securing 300,000 pyeong of self-sufficient land."

He added, "We will create a virtuous cycle that goes beyond attracting companies to generate jobs, expand research and development, hire local talent and bring in further investment. We will develop Osan into a future-oriented, self-sufficient city for advanced industries where businesses and talent gather and investment continues."

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