Gwangju-Jangseong 'Advanced 3 District' favored for Samsung, SK Hynix semiconductor plants

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly leaning towards the '첨단3지구' (Advanced 3 District) industrial complex, straddling Gwangju and Jangseong County in South Jeolla Province, for their first semiconductor plant in the Honam region. This site is emerging as the frontrunner for the planned investment, with an official announcement expected by the end of the month.

The '첨단3지구' is a 3.62 million square meter industrial complex being developed across Gwangju and Jangseong County. It is being considered for a post-processing packaging plant, a significant investment expected to run into trillions of won. The location boasts existing national AI data centers and is developing the 'Jeonnam No. 1 Data Center.' Its proximity to Gwangju's city center and the upcoming AI gifted high school affiliated with Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) are seen as key advantages in terms of 'living conditions,' according to local officials.

While '첨단3지구' is the leading contender, other sites like the '빛그린산단' (Bitgreen Industrial Complex) spanning Gwangju and Hampyeong County, and areas in Haenam, have also been discussed. The '빛그린산단' shares the advantage of being close to Gwangju's center. Haenam offers strengths in water and energy supply, but concerns about living conditions have been raised by companies. The military airport site is considered unsuitable due to ongoing relocation issues.

Currently, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have chip manufacturing bases in the Seoul metropolitan area and packaging plants in the Chungcheong region. The proposed new facility in the Jeonnam-Gwangju area would focus on post-processing, specifically advanced packaging, a critical area in the competitive semiconductor industry. Local authorities are also preparing for the potential long-term attraction of large-scale front-end processing facilities, aiming to create tens of thousands of jobs.