Samsung Pledges 265.5 Trillion Won Investment in South Korea for Semiconductor and AI Growth

Samsung is set to inject a staggering 265.5 trillion won into South Korea, aiming to bolster future industries and secure a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI era. The company announced on June 29 that this significant investment is designed to proactively address the paradigm shift in technology driven by artificial intelligence.

A substantial portion of the funds, 203 trillion won, will be dedicated to nurturing semiconductor clusters, particularly at Samsung's Pyeongtaek campus and the Yongin national industrial complex. An additional 62.5 trillion won will be distributed across the Honam, Chungcheong, and Yeongnam regions, focusing on AI semiconductors, robotics, batteries, IT components, and materials.

The Honam region alone will receive 42.5 trillion won, with 40 trillion won earmarked specifically for semiconductors. Samsung Electronics plans to construct a new semiconductor fabrication plant, or 'fab,' in Gwangju. This facility will also incorporate an innovation hub factory based on digital twin technology. Gwangju is designated as the next major semiconductor cluster, following Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Yongin.

Samsung selected Gwangju due to advantageous factors such as power and water supply, workforce availability and training, and living conditions. Once operational, the Gwangju semiconductor cluster is expected to become a dual core base for the nation's semiconductor industry, complementing the existing hub in the Seoul metropolitan area.