Gwangju-South Jeolla university heads pledge support for semiconductor cluster

The Council of University Presidents of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province issued a welcoming statement Monday in response to the government's semiconductor cluster development plan involving Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, pledging to "do everything possible to support its successful establishment."

The council, which represents 21 universities in the region, said South Korea must build a new growth axis to maintain a decisive lead in the global semiconductor race. It added that "there is no question that decentralization, not expansion, is the best choice for sustainable growth."

The council dismissed concerns raised in some quarters that the region is too far from the Greater Seoul area and lacks skilled talent. "A once-ordinary rural orchard in 1950s America became Silicon Valley — the world's hub of innovation — through the vision of its pioneers," it said, "and a Florida wilderness overrun by alligators was transformed into the world's largest theme park cluster." The council said it held high hopes for Gwangju and South Jeolla Province to achieve a similar transformation.

The council urged the government and local authorities to establish a "one-stop support system" — streamlining permit procedures and completing ground-breaking preparations in advance — so that companies can invest with confidence.