Talent Development Strategy Meeting at Kumoh National Institute of Technology Founded by Park
Visited SK Siltron Investment Agreement Ceremony, Promised Government Support
Visited Birthplace of Former President Park Chung-hee and Left Guestbook Entry
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 1st, President Yoon Seok-yeol visited Gumi, Gyeongbuk, the hometown of former President Park Chung-hee, reaffirming his policy stance to focus on the development of advanced and future industries and talent cultivation.
On the morning of the same day, President Yoon visited Kumoh National Institute of Technology, established by former President Park, followed by semiconductor materials company SK Siltron and the former president's birthplace in succession.
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President Yoon first held the inaugural Talent Cultivation Strategy Meeting at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, emphasizing the need to accelerate the nurturing of science and technology talents centered on regional universities. The Talent Cultivation Strategy Meeting is a pan-government public-private collaborative system established last year under the president's leadership to cultivate specialized talents in the semiconductor field.
President Yoon stated, "The reason we succeeded in industrialization and grew into an economic powerhouse despite difficult conditions is ultimately because we invested in and nurtured people," adding, "Like the United States, we must set fields to focus on for talent cultivation by considering urgency, importance, and our comparative competitive advantages in advanced sectors, and concentrate all capabilities there."
He added, "It is very meaningful to hold the first Talent Cultivation Strategy Meeting at Kumoh National Institute of Technology," describing it as "a place where the spirit and breath of President Park Chung-hee live on." Kumoh National Institute of Technology was established through the efforts of former President Park, who gave final approval during his lifetime.
The Ministry of Education and others reported to President Yoon that they will select five core advanced fields (▲Aerospace and Future Mobility ▲Biohealth ▲Advanced Components and Materials ▲Digital ▲Environment and Energy) through the 'Advanced Field Talent Cultivation Strategy Plan.' This reflects the urgency and importance of talent supply and demand in advanced fields, and detailed tasks will be discussed jointly by the government, companies, and local governments.
Efforts will also be accelerated to establish the 'Regional Innovation-Centered University Support System' (RISE), which grants local governments authority to build a virtuous cycle development ecosystem for local universities and regions facing crises. The core is to delegate and transfer budgets and authority and promote expanded financial investment led by local governments. Regulatory innovations such as academic autonomy for universities and policies to strengthen lifelong and vocational education through company-led education and training will also be pursued in connection.
After the Talent Cultivation Strategy Meeting, President Yoon attended the investment agreement ceremony at SK Siltron and inspected the wafer and ultrapure water production sites. Through this investment agreement, SK Siltron plans to invest a total of 1.236 trillion KRW from next year until 2026 to establish a new silicon wafer production facility in Gumi 3 Industrial Complex. This is expected to contribute to the localization of semiconductor materials, securing supply chains, and creating over 1,000 jobs.
In his encouragement speech, President Yoon said, "The semiconductor industry is the backbone of our economy, accounting for 20% of our exports, and a national security asset. However, it is also true that the conditions surrounding Korean semiconductors are not easy," urging, "We must work harder to localize materials, components, and equipment, and proactively respond to the decline in memory prices and weakened demand due to economic recession."
President Yoon also stated, "Competitor countries are mobilizing all means such as export regulations, subsidies, and tax credits to threaten our semiconductor industry. The government and companies must and will work together to overcome this," promising government support for companies including tax credits. He then visited the R&D demonstration plant currently undergoing trial operation to localize ultrapure water for semiconductors, which had been produced using foreign technology, emphasizing efforts for technological independence and exports.
Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations, explained in a written briefing that regarding President Yoon's visit to SK Siltron, "The president, after touring the semiconductor production facilities, signed 'Yoon Seok-yeol' on wafers directly produced by SK Siltron, reaffirming the government's firm commitment to the national strategic industry."
President Yoon visited former President Park's birthplace in a private schedule without media disclosure and left a message in the guestbook saying, "A great future led by a great leader, we will not forget and will continue it together with the people." This is President Yoon's third visit to former President Park's birthplace, following visits in September 2021 and February 2022 during his presidential candidacy.
On the occasion of the president's visit today, about 2,000 citizens welcomed him by chanting "President Yoon Seok-yeol" and "We love you" from 2 km before the entrance of former President Park's birthplace, and the president expressed his gratitude by shaking hands with the citizens one by one, Chief Kim reported.
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