"Thank you for swiftly resolving the urgent semiconductor wastewater issue."
Amkor Technology Korea, which is preparing a large-scale investment to scale up operations in South Jeolla-Gwangju, has sent a formal letter of appreciation to the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City and Jangseong-gun, reaffirming its commitment to invest after the two local governments resolved a wastewater treatment problem in just two days.
South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyeong-bae recently shared the letter on his social media, saying "a welcome reply has arrived."
Amkor Korea Chief Executive Lee Jin-an signed the letter, which was addressed to the mayor of the integrated special city.
In the letter, Amkor expressed deep gratitude to the integrated special city and Jangseong-gun for signing an MOU on semiconductor wastewater treatment support and laying the groundwork to secure additional wastewater processing capacity, enabling the company's additional investment at its Gwangju facility to proceed smoothly.
The company said the integrated special city's proactive support — carefully examining investment issues and delivering practical solutions — has been a major source of stability for the investment project.
The letter also included an assessment of the MOU itself.
Amkor described the agreement as an important foundation underpinning its Gwangju facility investment and a meaningful opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of the South Jeolla-Gwangju semiconductor industry and build a sustainable industrial ecosystem. The company also pledged to engage faithfully in follow-up consultations on expanding wastewater treatment facilities, related permits and operational plans.
Amkor promised to "responsibly advance the Gwangju facility investment project" in response to the trust and support shown by the integrated special city and Jangseong-gun. The letter also included a commitment to fulfill the company's role as a business that grows alongside the local community through regional economic revitalization and the creation of quality jobs.
The letter follows the earlier wastewater treatment MOU. On top of the 1 trillion won ($735 million) investment Amkor announced in June, the company was exploring a separate large-scale additional investment when it urgently contacted the integrated special city on Sept. 16 to inquire about additional wastewater treatment options.
The city held emergency consultations with Jangseong-gun the following day and proposed linking the Jangseong public wastewater treatment facility with Amkor's Gwangju factory. The two local governments then signed an MOU at the Muan government complex on Sept. 18 — completing in days an inter-municipal process that typically takes anywhere from several months to nearly a year.
Alongside sharing the letter, Mayor Min noted that Amkor had pledged to responsibly advance the investment project, and said the integrated special city would ensure follow-up procedures proceed without a hitch.
sij@heraldcorp.com
