Expectations Rise in Gwangju After Lee Jae-yong Mentions Region for Semiconductor Plant

[Anchor]

Expectations are growing in the Gwangju region of South Jeolla Province, where a semiconductor plant is set to be built. In particular, the real estate market in Gwangju and surrounding areas, which Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong specifically mentioned, is already showing signs of vitality.

Reporter Choi Seung-hun visited the site.

[Reporter]

This is the Cheomdan District 3, which is being developed across Gwangju's Buk-gu and Gwangsan-gu districts and Jangseong-gun in South Jeolla Province.

Site preparation work, including the installation of drainage facilities such as storm sewers, is currently underway.

The 3.62 million-square-meter Cheomdan District 3 has the advantage of high accessibility, with research infrastructure such as the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology concentrated nearby and large-scale apartment complexes being built in the vicinity.

In addition to Cheomdan District 3, the site of the Gwangju military airport and Solaseado in Haenam are also being mentioned as potential candidates.

Citizens are highly optimistic about the news that a large-scale semiconductor plant will be built.

This is because the establishment of a semiconductor complex could lead to a massive influx of material, component, and equipment suppliers, as well as workers.

[Ko Jeong-ah/Merchant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju: It is such great news. It is good news, absolutely. Small businesses have been struggling, so if the population increases, it will be a win-win for everyone.]

Many citizens are also pinning their hopes on the project, reflecting on the reality of the region where young people have been leaving.

[Lee Gwang-sik/Resident in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju: I see hope. If the plant is built, I think our children and grandchildren will be able to settle down here instead of moving to other regions.]

The local real estate market has already begun to reflect these expectations.

There are reports that the "negative premium" on apartment presale rights in the area, which once existed, has recently disappeared.

[Mo Il-gwon/Real Estate Agent in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju: There is a strong expectation that if a major conglomerate invests, it will become a catalyst for the local economy and the real estate market.]

As semiconductor plants require massive amounts of electricity and water, the concerns of residents regarding power transmission facilities and energy storage systems remain a task to be addressed.

The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea Enterprises Federation welcomed the news, stating that it would be a turning point for young people to plan their futures in the region and for diversifying the nation's growth engines.

Reported by Kang Dong-chul | Video edited by Choi Hye-ran | Designed by Jang Seong-beom
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.