[News] Global Semiconductor Race: South Korea Announces $471 Billion Investment in Massive Semiconductor Cluster

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Countries around the world are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of semiconductor development, and South Korea is no exception. South Korea has just unveiled an ambitious plan to invest a staggering 622 trillion Korean won (approximately $471 billion USD) in collaboration with industry giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, aiming to create the world’s largest semiconductor supercluster.

According to reports from The Korea Times, South Korea’s vision includes the construction of the world’s largest semiconductor cluster in Gyeonggi Province by 2047. As revealed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in South Korea, Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and other semiconductor companies are set to pool their resources into building 16 new fabs, with the potential to generate over 3 million job opportunities.

This ambitious undertaking will involve an expansion of the existing mega cluster, which already boasts 19 production fabs and two research fabs spread across adjacent cities in the province. The new mega chip cluster, spanning a massive 2,102 square meters, is slated to commence production, churning out an impressive 7.7 million wafers each month, beginning in 2030.

Within this sprawling cluster, Samsung Electronics has outlined plans to construct six new fabs at the national industrial complex in Yongin, with an investment commitment of 360 trillion Korean won. Additionally, the company intends to establish three fabs in Pyeongtaek, involving an investment of 120 trillion Korean won, and three research fabs at an R&D center located in the Giheung District, at a cost of 20 trillion Korean won. Meanwhile, SK hynix is earmarking 122 trillion Korean won for the construction of four fabs at another industrial complex in Yongin.

The primary objective of this supercluster is to foster an environment conducive to the production of cutting-edge memory chips, including high bandwidth memory (HBM), and system semiconductors measuring 2 nanometers or more advanced nodes.

Reports suggest that with the establishment of this new cluster, the South Korean government has set ambitious targets for the country. By 2030, they aim to capture a significant 10% share of the system semiconductor market, a substantial increase from the current 3%. 

Furthermore, the government plans to boost self-sufficiency in the supply chain of critical materials, components, and equipment from the current 30% to an impressive 50% by the year 2030.

(Image: SK Hynix)