Geochang County Mayor Lee Honggi Visits GIST to Explore AI and Semiconductor Industry Cooperation

Discuss ways to link AI, drone and robotics industries with semiconductor research
Explore potential for cross-regional industrial cooperation leveraging transport links between Yeongnam and Honam

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province is exploring ways to foster cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI)- and semiconductor-related industries and connect them with the region’s residential infrastructure, in response to efforts to develop the semiconductor industry in the Honam region.

Geochang County Mayor Lee Honggi and other county officials visited the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) to discuss ways to foster industries related to semiconductors, AI, drones and robotics, as well as the potential for interregional cooperation with semiconductor researchers, the county said on November 11.

[Photo courtesy of Geochang County]

During the visit, Mayor Lee met with Gong Deukjo, a professor in GIST’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering, and officials from the task force for establishing an AI Semiconductor Research Institute. They exchanged views on the development of semiconductor-related industries and potential links with Geochang County.

The visit was arranged to assess demand for cooperation in related industries as the government pursues its plan to develop the Honam region’s semiconductor industry, and to explore ways to make use of Geochang County’s transport network and living infrastructure.

In June, the government announced a plan to develop the southwestern region as a semiconductor production hub.

Geochang County believes that if the semiconductor industry base in the Honam region expands, demand for cooperation may also arise in related industries such as equipment maintenance, parts supply and logistics.

Accordingly, the county plans to identify areas in which local companies and research institutions can participate, and develop cooperation projects that link AI, drone and robotics technologies with the semiconductor industry.

Geochang County is also exploring opportunities for industrial cooperation connecting the Yeongnam and Honam regions, drawing on its location along the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway and the fact that the planned route of the Moonlight Railway includes the county.

However, as the Moonlight Railway is still in the planning stage, the county will consider future project developments and changes in transport conditions as it reviews ways to establish connections.

Alongside industrial cooperation, the county is also looking into ways to support the residential conditions of workers in related industries.

As growth in semiconductor-related industries may generate demand not only for business activities but also for housing, education, healthcare and cultural facilities, the county plans to explore how it could make use of Geochang’s residential environment.

To this end, the county plans to assess opportunities for cooperation with companies and research institutions in the Honam region, while taking a medium- to long-term view of the infrastructure and support needed for workers and their families to establish a community.

The county also plans to use the meetings as an opportunity to identify joint research and practical training projects involving local universities and companies, and to explore specific opportunities for cooperation through follow-up discussions with GIST.

Geochang County Mayor Lee Honggi said, "Industrial growth requires not only space for businesses to operate but also the foundations that enable people to stay and live in an area. We will build on Geochang’s strengths in transportation and residential conditions and prepare proactively to turn opportunities arising from the growth of the Honam region’s semiconductor industry into regional development."

Meanwhile, Geochang County is also pursuing industry-academia-research cooperation to develop AI, drone and robotics industries as future growth sectors for the region. On October 13, the county presented a plan to establish an AI testbed specializing in disaster response and safety. It signed business agreements with Changwon National University on October 19 and Gunjiptek on October 20.

Building on these partnerships, the county plans to consider ways to research and test related technologies and train specialized personnel, and to identify projects in stages that local companies and universities can participate in.

For Geochang County’s plan to foster cooperation in the AI and semiconductor industries to lead to tangible regional development, it will need to identify specific joint projects that leverage transportation and residential conditions and establish a foundation for local businesses to participate.

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