Hwaseong City to Embark on European Tour for 'Hwaseong into Technopol' on the 19th of Next Month

24 Students Hold Launch Ceremony... Visit to ASM Headquarters in the Netherlands and More

Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 18th that the 'Hwaseong into Technopol 5th Europe with ASM' exploration team, organized by the city to foster future talents, held a launch ceremony at the Hwaseong Lifelong Learning Center on the 15th in preparation for their European exploration scheduled for the 19th of next month.

Participants of 'Hwaseong into Technopol' are holding a launching ceremony on the 15th in preparation for their European exploration on the 19th of next month.
[Photo provided by Hwaseong City]

The exploration team, consisting of 24 students selected through document and interview screenings, will visit four European countries from the 19th to the 28th of next month for an 8-night, 10-day trip to observe international exchanges and the Fourth Industrial Revolution sites.

Based on the knowledge and insights gained from the overseas exploration, the team plans to propose policies that can be applied to city administration. In particular, ASM Korea will provide an opportunity to tour ASM’s headquarters and the IMEC Tower in the Netherlands during this Technopol exploration and will cover part of the exploration expenses.

ASM was established in 1968 in Almere, the Netherlands, and currently employs over 4,300 people across 15 countries worldwide. The company holds 2,619 patents in the semiconductor equipment field. As of 2022, ASM recorded sales of 2.4 billion euros (approximately 3.5 trillion KRW) and holds the world’s number one market share in the atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment sector. Notably, ASM invested 135 billion KRW last year to expand its manufacturing and research facilities in Hwaseong.

Meanwhile, about 50 people, including participating students, parents, and officials, attended the launch ceremony, along with Kim Jong-bok, Chair of the Hwaseong City Council’s Culture and Welfare Committee, and Lee Young-seok, CEO of ASM Korea. Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun said, "I hope that through this exploration, students will develop an international perspective and become talents leading advanced industries," adding, "Together with cutting-edge companies, research institutes, and outstanding young talents, we will create 'Hwaseong Technopol,' Hwaseong’s own Silicon Valley."