Kim Dong-yeon, "Will Push Forward Southern Gyeonggi Semiconductor Cluster Without Any Wavering"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gapdong] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed the goal and determination to operate a 'Semiconductor All-Care Dedicated Organization (TF)' and shorten the cluster development period as much as possible through a 'Permit Processing Acceleration Target System' to preserve the golden window for K-semiconductors.

Governor Kim, who embarked on another livelihood economy field tour (Dal-Dal Bus—Running Until Things Change) following last year, held the 'K-Semiconductor Mega Cluster Win-Win Town Hall Meeting' at Dankook University Yongin Glocal Industry-Academia Cooperation Center on the morning of the 27th and made these remarks.

The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including Governor Kim, semiconductor company officials, local residents, university officials, college students, and city and county civil servants. The Korea Water Resources Corporation and Korea Electric Power Corporation also participated to jointly discuss infrastructure issues regarding power and water.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated, "Semiconductor industrial complexes require advance preparation in terms of electricity, water, traffic problems, and living conditions for workers," and added, "Gyeonggi Province has proactively announced that it will lay underground power lines along Local Road 318 to resolve SK Hynix's power issues. We will work with the central government and Samsung, which will move in, to find a good solution for expansion plans for National Road 82 within the national industrial complex."

He further said, "The most important factor in creating a mega semiconductor cluster is a race against time. We used the term 'Semiconductor All-Care' to show our determination to exert all efforts so that we can secure the high ground in global semiconductor industry competition," and emphasized, "We have established a TF, will shorten all possible permit processing times, and will ease or lift various necessary regulations. I want to make clear that the semiconductor mega cluster will be pursued without any wavering whatsoever."

At the event, company officials requested prompt processing of permits and early construction of infrastructure, while the university side suggested expansion of industry-academia-linked education and strengthening of hiring-linked programs. Local residents emphasized the balance between industrial complex development and local environment and living infrastructure.

In November of last year, ahead of the enactment of the 'Special Act on Strengthening and Supporting Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness' (hereinafter, Semiconductor Special Act), the province operated a 'Semiconductor Special Act Response Dedicated Organization (TF)' to discuss provincial-level strategies and implementation tasks in response to changing policy environments following the enactment of the special act.

After the Semiconductor Special Act passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 29th of last month, the province decided to reorganize and operate it as a 'Semiconductor All-Care Dedicated Organization (TF).' The dedicated organization is composed of three teams—planning, infrastructure development, and workforce and technology support—with the Deputy Governor for Economy as director, and handles pending issues in connection with specialized advisory organizations such as the Next-Generation Convergence Technology Research Institute.

True to the name 'All-Care,' the feature is providing integrated support throughout the entire cycle from receiving corporate challenges to integrated processing, coordination (conflict management), resolution, and policy improvement.

In particular, the province plans to adopt a 'Permit Processing Acceleration Target System' to shorten administrative procedures. In the pre-investment stage, integrated pre-consultation will be introduced so that companies can predict their investment timing and business schedules in advance, while the core of the permit stage is to reduce review and approval periods. Additionally, the province plans to strengthen administrative accountability through a one-on-one dedicated management system between the province and cities and counties.

The province is also accelerating the resolution of infrastructure issues by coordinating with Korea Electric Power Corporation to develop power grid expansion measures and discussing water supply systems with Korea Water Resources Corporation. On the 22nd of last month, the province signed a 'Road-Power Grid Joint Construction Cooperation Framework Agreement' with Korea Electric Power Corporation to construct power lines underground along Local Road 318 in the Yongin-Icheon section, presenting a solution to the Yongin semiconductor cluster's power shortage.

Additionally, the province is fostering more than 2,600 professionals annually through semiconductor specialized workforce development projects and is expanding support for small and medium-sized materials, parts, and equipment companies through semiconductor technology center operations and mini-fab construction.

Going forward, the province plans to nurture the K-Semiconductor Mega Cluster as a world-class industrial ecosystem through field-oriented communication and prompt administration.