[Anchor]

The Honam Semiconductor Cluster, set to be built on the site of the Gwangju Military Airport, is accelerating its development with the goal of starting mass production by 2030. The government and the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City have agreed to expedite the relocation of military airport functions, streamline the permitting process, and secure the necessary power and water supplies.

KBC reporter Shin Dae-hee reports.

[Reporter]

The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City held an executive meeting to share expert analysis indicating that semiconductor production in Gwangju is achievable by 2030.

The plan is to begin construction of the semiconductor plant as early as the end of this year or early next year, and to ensure power and water supplies are ready by 2028.

The first phase of the semiconductor production plant requires a site of 230,000 to 250,000 pyeong (approximately 760,000 to 826,000 square meters), 1 gigawatt of power, and 100,000 tons of water per day.

Analysis shows that supply conditions for the second phase of the plant are sufficient, and the government has pledged to provide 6.3 gigawatts of power and 650,000 tons of water per day.

The key is to relocate the training functions of the Gwangju Military Airport to other fighter wings to advance the timeline for site utilization.

[Voice: Kim Yong-beom / Presidential Policy Chief (YTN Radio): If we coordinate a dispersal plan (temporary relocation of the 1st Fighter Wing's functions) with the Air Force, we can use this site without waiting for the new airport in Muan to be completed.]

Jeonnam-Gwangju has formed a semiconductor strategy committee and a working-level support team to assist with investments from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

The city plans to accelerate the designation of the semiconductor industrial complex, various permitting processes, and infrastructure construction, while simultaneously improving living conditions and fostering talent.

[Voice: Min Hyung-bae / Mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City: If the goal is mass production by 2030, we must engage in a race against time. We need to map out the entire timeline and deliberate on and execute ways to advance it as much as possible.]

The goal is to provide speedy support by integrating administrative procedures and the investment environment, much like the case in Kumamoto, Japan, where a semiconductor plant was completed in just 22 months.

Attention is now focused on how much this government-wide, unprecedented fast-track approach will accelerate the dawn of the Honam semiconductor era.

(Video coverage: Yeom Pil-ho, KBC)

KBC Shin Dae-hee