Gumi-si Applies for Semiconductor Specialized Complex Contest ... 'Prepared Semiconductor Specialized Complex'

Completion of Infrastructure for Large-Scale Investment and Specialized Complex Development

Possessing Core Semiconductor Materials and Components Technologies, Maintaining Global Superiority

Gumi City has submitted an application for the national advanced strategic industry (semiconductor) specialized complex contest, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, to promote the innovative development of advanced strategic industries and technologies and to create an industrial ecosystem.

Semiconductor Industry Specialized Complex Development Support Business Agreement Ceremony (23.02.20).

The national advanced strategic industry specialized complex is a designated area that the government rapidly fosters as a global industrial cluster capable of securing a preemptive super-gap in advanced strategic technologies and maintaining a competitive edge in the global race for advanced technology speed. It serves as a stable production base for advanced strategic industries, providing comprehensive support tailored to the characteristics of the specialized complex, including infrastructure development, advanced strategic industry promotion, simplified permits and approvals, and financial and tax support.

To maintain the global super-gap in the domestic semiconductor industry, it is essential to enhance the competitiveness and self-reliance of the materials and components industry, which is weaker compared to finished products. However, the semiconductor materials and components industry depends on advanced countries such as Japan, which has been pointed out as a cause of weakening the competitiveness of upstream industries and hindering cost reduction.

Accordingly, Gumi City plans to play an important role as a semiconductor materials and components supply base to achieve a semiconductor super-gap by establishing a core materials and components specialized complex ecosystem that supplies semiconductor materials and components to semiconductor device companies in the metropolitan area and upstream demand industries, based on the concentrated semiconductor materials and components industry.

Leading companies possessing core semiconductor materials and components technologies, such as SK Siltron (wafers), LG Innotek (semiconductor substrates), Wonik QnC (quartzware), KEC (power semiconductor chips), MagnaChip Semiconductor (DDIC), Waldecks (silicon parts), LB Rusem (DDIC packaging), and Samsung SDI (packaging materials), will strengthen the value chain of partner companies to intensively foster related industries and establish a virtuous cycle structure within the specialized complex to enhance the self-reliance and competitiveness of the semiconductor materials and components business.

The city is a region where advanced industries have developed, ranging from electronics and semiconductors to advanced materials, with 50 years of know-how. It is equipped with industrial complex sites, abundant industrial water, and stable power supply, which are core elements of the semiconductor industry, enabling rapid large-scale investment. Additionally, it is located 10 km from the soon-to-be-opened Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, securing logistics competitiveness, so all infrastructure for the semiconductor specialized complex is prepared.

Along with this, institutional foundations for fostering and developing the semiconductor industry are also being established.

Last November, the city enacted and implemented the ‘Gumi City Semiconductor Industry Promotion and Support Ordinance’ and formed the ‘Gyeongbuk Province Semiconductor Industry Super-Gap Promotion Committee,’ which includes various stakeholders such as companies, educational institutions, and research institutes. The committee is making every effort to maintain the semiconductor industry super-gap and designate Gumi as a semiconductor specialized complex through semiconductor company investment, workforce development, and technical support.

First, to address the most urgent shortage of semiconductor industry personnel and secure manpower for the semiconductor specialized complex, a plan to train 20,000 professionals over 10 years has been established. Through the ‘Gyeongbuk-Gumi Semiconductor Industry Promotion Support Agreement,’ industry, academia, research, and government sectors are jointly participating to actively respond to the government’s 10-year strategy to train 150,000 semiconductor personnel.

Semiconductor Wafer Expansion Investment Agreement (President Yoon Suk-yeol Attended 23.02.01).

Kim Jang-ho, Mayor of Gumi City, said, “Recent consecutive investments by major semiconductor-related companies, including SK Siltron, demonstrate Gumi’s investment environment. Gumi City already meets the conditions for a specialized complex, such as infrastructure, concentration of related companies, and linkage with regional key industries, making it possible to quickly achieve results for semiconductor industry super-gap attainment.” He added, “We will do our best to have Gumi, Gyeongbuk designated as a semiconductor specialized complex and to become a supply-centered city for the materials and components industry.”