- On May 18, the Mayor visited a presentation sharing the promotional strategy for a specialized complex to support City officials -

- Doing his best to highlight the locational advantages, strengths, and plans to develop a specialized complex in Incheon -

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon Metropolitan City visited the “National high-tech strategic industry specialization strategy presentation” on May 18 at Seoul Square (in Jung-gu, Seoul), and led activities to help attract a new complex specializing in semiconductors.

On the day, Incheon announced its strategy going forward, and the Mayor showed his support for the presenters and the public officials involved in the proceedings. Then, he met with judges of the selection committee (for the new industrial complex) to highlight Incheon's strengths, such as the locational conditions best-fit for the advanced packaging of system semiconductors. The Mayor said, “Incheon has everything the semiconductor industry needs. Your work to promote Incheon as being an absolutely indispensable location for Korea's semiconductor industry, our City can build the largest advanced packaging cluster in Korea.”

▲ Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok takes a photo after showing his support to officials at the “National high-tech strategic industry specialization strategy presentation” on May 18 (Seoul Square).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is in the process of its public tender seeking a destination for its new national high-tech strategic industry complex during the first half of this year. Incheon submitted its application and development plan for the specialized semiconductor complex back in February.

Incheon has the best location for industrial complexes, a highly competitive aviation/logistics infrastructure, the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), and multinational corporations. Its cluster of industrial zones in Yeongjong, Songdo, and Namdong-gu offers the perfect place for establishing an innovative ecosystem for the semiconductor post-processing industry as well as the materials, parts, and equipment sectors.

Its presence in the semiconductor industry and share of export for the industry also count as the City’s strengths in its latest application. Incheon is home to more than global semiconductor equipment companies (including Hanmi Semiconductor), including the world's second and third largest companies (Amkor Korea and Stats ChipPAC Korea) in the semiconductor back-end processing industries (packaging and testing). Semiconductors have been the number one product in terms of exports from Incheon since 2016. Last year, the City’s semiconductor exports amounted to USD 16.8 billion, accounting for 30.9% of Incheon’s total exports. In particular, the City is responsible for roughly 32% (USD 16.4 billion) of Korea's total system semiconductor exports (USD 50.68 billion) last year.

Incheon has also prepared an initiative to develop its own specialized semiconductor complex. It plans to create a national high-tech industrial complex in Yeongjong International City (of the Incheon Free Economic Zone) that could serve as a base for the advancement of next-generation semiconductor packaging companies worldwide, as well as a global business center to support corporations and their employees.

Moreover, Incheon will look to open a “Semiconductor Advanced Packaging Convergence Research Institute” in Songdo International City to create a base for research and development (R&D) and the training of semiconductor experts. Another organization the City could create is a “Semiconductor Advanced Packaging Technology Support Center” inside the Namdong National Industrial Complex, which could help develop new semiconductor materials and components. By developing and testing (as a test bed) new products, this Industrial Complex may mature into a hub for small giants in the materials, parts, and equipment sectors.

The “Incheon Specialized Semiconductor Complex Promotion Committee,” which was launched in October of last year, is at the center of attention and support from not only semiconductor industry experts and officials, but also members of the local community. Moreover, there is significant interest from related companies, with 136 companies expressing their desire to move into the specialized complex.

Mayor Yoo said, “In a situation where system semiconductor exports continue to rise, Incheon is a city with sustainable growth potential, and it leads the nation in system semiconductor exports.” He added, “While making use of the best locational conditions and strengths, including the presence of leading semiconductor companies and personnel already available in the region as well as a major international airport and port, my administration will work with the entire community to bring a new specialized complex to Incheon.”