Gumi Mayor's Inauguration Features Robot Pledging 'No Giving Up on Semiconductors'

A humanoid robot made a notable appearance at the inauguration ceremony for Kim Jang-ho, the new mayor of Gumi, a city in North Gyeongsang Province. The robot walked through the audience of over 1,000 citizens and officials at the Gumi Culture and Arts Center, carrying a sign that read, "No giving up on semiconductors." This gesture, a replica of a semiconductor wafer, underscored the city's unwavering resolve to secure semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

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No giving up on semiconductors

Mayor Kim Jang-ho expressed strong disagreement with recent government plans that appear to concentrate semiconductor front-end and back-end production facility investments in the southwestern region. "It is truly unacceptable," Kim stated, asserting that Gumi is optimally prepared for immediate semiconductor production facility operation. He vowed that Gumi would not abandon its pursuit of attracting these vital industries.

Gumi has proposed offering land in the second phase of the Gumi National Industrial Complex 5 at a price of approximately 1,000 won per평 (about $0.75 per square meter). The city highlighted its advantages, including abundant water resources from the Nakdong River and a cluster of 309 related material, component, and equipment companies, such as SK Siltron and LG Innotek. While the government's recent announcement mentioned Gumi as a "semiconductor material, component, and equipment innovation hub," the mayor's strong stance suggests a desire for more substantial investment.

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It is truly unacceptable

In his first official act as mayor, Kim signed the "Plan to Promote Investment Agreements for Livelihood Recovery." This initiative involves four companies, including semiconductor material firms, investing 900 billion won in Gumi and creating approximately 600 new jobs. The robot's symbolic delivery and the mayor's firm commitment signal a new era of industrial ambition for Gumi.

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Gumi is optimally prepared for immediate semiconductor production facility operation. Gumi will not abandon its pursuit of attracting these vital industries.