Weekly Policy Meeting Linked to Visit at Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center at 9:30 AM on the 11th
Mayor Park Hyung-jun Checks Power Semiconductor Process Site and Listens to Opinions at Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center
Busan City has begun full-scale efforts to foster the next-generation power semiconductor industry, which will become South Korea's future growth engine, and to leap forward as a production hub for power semiconductors.
Power semiconductors use materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) instead of silicon for semiconductor wafers, making them resistant to high temperatures and reducing power loss. They are used in electric vehicles and renewable energy sectors.
On the morning of the 11th at 9:30 a.m., Busan City held a “Power Semiconductor On-site Visit Linked Weekly Policy Meeting” at the Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center (located in Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun), chaired by Mayor Park Hyung-joon, announcing the start of efforts to nurture the next-generation power semiconductor industry.
This meeting was organized following the designation of the Dongnam Radiation Medical Science General Industrial Complex in Gijang-gun as a “Power Semiconductor Materials, Parts, and Equipment (SoBuJang) Specialized Complex” on July 20. This designation enables the creation of a “high-performance compound power semiconductor ecosystem” centered in Busan. The meeting aimed to analyze future tasks for Busan to leap forward as a “power semiconductor production hub” and to seek systematic support measures.
The “Power Semiconductor SoBuJang Specialized Complex” is a government project that selects industrial complexes specialized in high-performance compound power semiconductors, clusters related SoBuJang companies there, and supports infrastructure, research and development (R&D), and workforce training to foster a cooperative ecosystem among companies.
Foreseeing the growth potential of the power semiconductor market and aiming to secure the domestic market, Busan has been developing a power semiconductor industrial cluster in the Dongnam Radiation Medical Science Industrial Complex since 2017.
In particular, Busan has established the Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center as a hub institution for nurturing power semiconductors, promoting prototype production of power semiconductors and talent development through participation of shared universities (including Dong-Eui University and 17 other universities). Currently, SoBuJang companies related to power semiconductors, such as SK Powertech, are located within the cluster.
During the weekly policy meeting, the city will review current issues and seek solutions for Busan to advance as a power semiconductor production hub city.
Attendees include Mayor Park Hyung-joon, who will preside over the meeting, relevant department heads, the director of Busan Research Institute, and the director of Busan Technopark.
First, they will inspect the status of the Dongnam Radiation Medical Science General Industrial Complex, where Busan’s future growth projects such as the power semiconductor industrial cluster, heavy ion accelerator construction, and export-oriented new research reactors are concentrated.
Alongside this, they will discuss measures for the sustainable development of the industrial complex, including stable power supply plans, construction of access roads, and securing additional land to meet the demands of tenant companies.
Next, discussions will focus on Busan-style power semiconductor industry development strategies and development plans for the Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center, drawing up a blueprint to actively promote Busan’s semiconductor industry as South Korea’s future power semiconductor production hub.
They will discuss forming a task force to revitalize the SoBuJang specialized complex, preparing a roadmap for creating a Busan-specialized “semiconductor industry ecosystem,” establishing a full-cycle corporate support system for high-performance compound power semiconductors, expanding infrastructure such as power, gas supply, and water, and improving residential conditions to attract companies.
Additionally, as the hub institution for power semiconductor development, the Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center will discuss in depth plans to enhance technical support services through expanded R&D capabilities and infrastructure, and to expand practical, industry-academia-linked professional workforce training. They will also discuss establishing and operating an integrated process support system for silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor production, reliability evaluation, and certification.
After the weekly policy meeting, Mayor Park Hyung-joon will personally visit the power semiconductor process facilities and SK Powertech, located within the Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center, to observe the vibrant scene of Busan’s semiconductor industry and hear their opinions.
The Power Semiconductor Commercialization Center plays a comprehensive role in fostering power semiconductors, including production support, professional workforce training, and operation of company tenant spaces. It operates two centers: the Jangan Complex (Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun) and the Jangjeon Complex (Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu).
Currently, semiconductor-related SoBuJang companies are tenants, with SK Powertech, a power semiconductor manufacturer, being a representative example.
Mayor Park Hyung-joon stated, “Unlike memory semiconductors, which have world-class technology centered on Samsung and SK Hynix, the power semiconductor market still heavily depends on imports. With increasing demand from electric vehicles and other sectors, the power semiconductor market will continue to expand. Busan will secure the domestic supply chain through self-reliance in core power semiconductor technologies centered on the SoBuJang specialized complex and complete the corporate ecosystem.” He emphasized, “For this, building a solid foundation to create a Busan-style semiconductor industry ecosystem is paramount.”
He added, “Especially, Busan must directly nurture semiconductor professionals so that power semiconductor companies facing workforce shortages want to come to Busan. The three elements of professional workforce training (regional universities), corporate support (city), and production infrastructure establishment (companies) must harmonize to build a seamless industry-academia-government cooperation system.”
Mayor Park emphasized, “Through close cooperation with the government and meticulous policy support, we will accelerate the realization of ‘Busan as the next-generation power semiconductor hub city’ and lead the ‘semiconductor industry super-gap.’”
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