Minister of Industry: “Honam Semiconductor is a desperate business, so there is no need to have doubts.”

Regarding the Honam semiconductor cluster that will be built on the site of Gwangju Military Airport, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan said, “The will of the companies is beyond sufficient and the situation is desperate.”

Minister Kim appeared on KBC Gwangju Broadcasting on the 12th and emphasized, "There is no need to have doubts because companies are desperate to maintain competitiveness at the current pace amid fierce pursuit by competitors such as China."

Recently, when the People Power Party raised concerns about investment setbacks or failure by making claims of 'twisting corporate wrists' through government inspections, they dismissed these claims.

Minister Kim visited the Gwangju Military Airport site on this day and inspected the progress with related organizations such as Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City, Air Force, Korea Land and Housing Corporation, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Korea Water Resources Corporation.

Previously, on the 9th, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won visited here and declared, “We will build (a semiconductor factory) at the fastest speed.” In relation to the Honam semiconductor cluster, both companies and the government have shown their will to do business through their actions.

Minister Kim made it clear that the government is providing all-out support for the early completion of the Honam semiconductor cluster.

Minister Kim said, “As the President described it as a blitzkrieg rather than a speed war, not only I but the entire cabinet is working as hard as we can to meet the demands of companies.”

A detailed roadmap was also presented. The plan is to shorten the industrial complex designation and land compensation procedures, which usually take about five years, to designate the industrial complex next year, and to move up the military airport relocation date, which was set for mid-2028.

Minister Kim emphasized, "We are aiming for completion of the first fab in 2029 and mass production in early 2030. As a result of the review, we concluded that there are no major problems with the 6.3GW (gigawatt) of power and 650,000 tons of water per day that are currently needed. I also clearly state that plans for substations, etc. are going without a hitch."

Minister Kim requested full support from the local community.

He said, “We must warmly welcome companies that choose this area instead of the metropolitan area or overseas,” and added, “We ask the local community to work together to create residential conditions for executives and employees and foster professional talent centered on local universities.”