Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex Resolves Regional Conflict Through Coexistence Cooperation

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon] Regarding the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex development project, Yongin City, Anseong City, SK Hynix Co., Ltd., and Yongin General Industrial Complex Co., Ltd., which had been in conflict over effluent treatment issues, have agreed to a coexistence accord that includes improvements to effluent water quality and temperature, bringing the dispute to a resolution.

Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province, Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra, Yongin Mayor Baek Kun-ki, Kim Dong-seop, President of External Cooperation at SK Hynix Co., Ltd., Ahn Jae-hyun, Representative Director of SK Construction Co., Ltd., and Chung Chul, Representative Director of Yongin General Industrial Complex Co., Ltd., signed a coexistence cooperation accord on the 11th at the Gyeonggi Province Government Building to develop the 'Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex' and agreed to cooperate for successful industrial complex development.

The accord signed that day represents a case where conflict among local governments, companies, and local governments has been resolved through provincial government mediation, laying the groundwork for smooth implementation of a large-scale industrial complex development project worth 120 trillion won.

Governor Lee Jae-myung said, "In administration, positions differ between the relevant companies and neighboring regions, making agreements difficult, but I am pleased that the two mayors and the SK Group appropriately compromised, respected each other, and reached a reasonable conclusion. I believe today's smooth consultations will greatly benefit regional development, and SK Group will continue to prosper and ultimately contribute significantly to Gyeonggi Province's and Korea's economy, making this a conclusion where everyone benefits."

He continued, "I ask that you set an exemplary precedent so that people can think water quality improves even with the arrival of large-scale enterprises, and I request everyone's cooperation to ensure the project proceeds without disruption."

Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra said, "Despite significant concerns from Anseong residents regarding SK Hynix coming to Yongin, there was no venue for voicing opinions, but the provincial government formed a coexistence consultative body that allowed residents to officially express their views, and I believe this result came from that. With mutual trust, I hope the promises we made are implemented as agreed, and Anseong City will do its best."

Yongin Mayor Baek Kun-ki said, "I promise that even if there are multiple difficulties in the implementation process, we will always seek Anseong residents' consent and proceed in a way that promotes coexistence."

Kim Dong-seop, President of External Cooperation at SK Hynix Co., Ltd., stated, "I am grateful to the citizens of Anseong and Yongin for cooperating on this national project, the Yongin semiconductor cluster initiative, and we will timely establish the cluster to contribute to the national economy."

The Yongin Semiconductor Cluster is a large-scale industrial complex being developed by 2024 in an area of approximately 4.16 million square meters in Wonsam-myeon, Cheokin-gu, Yongin City.

Although located in Yongin City, the complex is adjacent to Anseong City's Goseam-myeon, Samjuk-myeon, and Goseam Reservoir, and residents of Anseong have continuously opposed the development due to concerns about air and water pollution resulting from industrial complex construction and have demanded countermeasures.

Under the accord, these institutions will improve the water quality and temperature of the industrial complex's effluent to maintain them at certain levels, and will conduct joint investigations on the water quality status of the effluent and its impact on the ecosystem, publishing the results annually.

Resident participation is guaranteed throughout all investigation processes. Additionally, an ecological stream will be constructed near the effluent outlet.

Furthermore, Gyeonggi Province will prioritize Anseong City's requests when allocating industrial complex lots during 2021-2023.

SK Construction will jointly develop the prioritized industrial complex with Anseong City to support industrial complex development in the Anseong region.

Coexistence cooperation projects between Anseong and Yongin regions will also be implemented. Yongin City will apply usage fee reduction benefits to Anseong residents allowing them to use Yongin Pyeong-on Forest (cremation and enshrinement facilities) at the same rate as Yongin residents, and SK Hynix will implement social contribution projects including scholarships and international youth exchanges in Anseong and Yongin.

In addition, the accord institutions agreed to carry out the following: ▲Promotion of agricultural development policies such as expanding distribution channels for Anseong agricultural products ▲River maintenance related to industrial effluent water systems ▲Expansion of northern road networks in Anseong City.

After designating the industrial complex plan, Gyeonggi Province faced conflict in January of last year due to residents' opposition in the Anseong region. From August onwards, it formed and operated a 'Gyeonggi Province-Anseong City-Yongin City-Project Operator Coexistence Consultative Body' to resolve the conflict.

From October of last year, the coexistence consultative body held a total of 18 departmental task force meetings and 5 plenary sessions, discussing 7 agendas including water quality, industrial complex, waterfront development, coexistence cooperation, agricultural products, rivers, and roads, leading to this final agreed-upon accord.

The Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex is expected to receive industrial complex plan approval in the first half of this year, followed by land compensation, and construction of the industrial complex is scheduled to begin as early as the second half of this year. As a future core project expected to create approximately 17,000 jobs upon establishment, it is expected to form a belt with the Pyeongtaek Goduck Samsung semiconductor and Icheon SK Hynix industrial complexes in the province, and is anticipated to become the center of the global semiconductor industry in the future.