Samsung Electronics is pushing to advance the operational launch of its first fab (semiconductor plant) at the Yongin cluster by one to two years ahead of the original schedule.

The acceleration comes as the development project for the Yongin National Semiconductor Industrial Complex gains momentum.

According to industry sources on July 12, Samsung Electronics has set a target to begin operations for the first of its six planned semiconductor production plants at the Yongin National Industrial Complex in 2029.

This timeline is one to two years earlier than the previously discussed 2030–2031 window.

The move is interpreted as an effort to align the overall project schedule with the government's push to expedite the development of the Yongin National Industrial Complex.

This schedule was reportedly discussed during the Public-Private Joint Inspection Meeting on Mega Projects presided over by the President on July 6.

Industry experts believe that for the first fab to begin operations in 2029, site preparation work must commence no later than the second half of this year, with construction of the fab itself beginning in 2027.

Given that it typically takes about two years to build a state-of-the-art semiconductor plant, experts explain that subsequent procedures—such as site preparation, compensation for land and structures, expropriation rulings, and the selection of construction contractors—must proceed without delays.

In particular, as the government has expressed its commitment to shortening the construction period of the Yongin National Industrial Complex, the industry generally expects that the supply schedules for key infrastructure, such as electricity and water, could also be advanced.

If the government's plans—including the early construction of a 3-gigawatt (GW) liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant, the acceleration of the second and third phases of power supply, and the early provision of water in stages—proceed as planned, the possibility of the first fab starting operations in 2029 is expected to increase significantly.

The Yongin National Industrial Complex is a national strategic project being developed as Samsung Electronics' next-generation semiconductor production hub.

If the launch of the first fab is moved up, it is expected to not only expand production capacity but also accelerate the development of the domestic semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment ecosystem.

Subsequent project schedules are also expected to gain momentum.

An industry official stated, "Advancing the fab's operational timeline will not only allow for a more rapid response to the surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors but also bring about the effects of building a domestic semiconductor ecosystem faster than anticipated."

Meanwhile, in a mega-project announcement at the end of last month, Samsung Electronics unveiled plans to invest 2,030 trillion won in the Pyeongtaek and Yongin semiconductor clusters and 400 trillion won in the Honam region.

(Photo: Yonhap News)