A private-sector forum aimed at supporting the development of an 800 trillion won ($601 billion) semiconductor megacluster in the Honam region has officially launched.
The South Jeolla-Gwangju Semiconductor Forum held its first extraordinary board meeting and a donation ceremony Monday, marking the start of full operations.
Yang Jin-seok, chairman of the Gwangju Employers' Federation, was named inaugural board chairman, while Jeong Eun-seung, head of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Semiconductor Strategy Committee, and attorney Kim Seung-hwi were appointed co-representatives.
The forum completed its founding general assembly and corporate registration procedures roughly a month after its preparatory committee was established in September. It also secured 450 million won in private contributions.
The contributions came from Yang, who donated 300 million won; Lee Jeong-gwon, chairman of DH Group, who gave 100 million won; co-representative Kim Seung-hwi and Kim Yeong-geun, chairman of Song Hak Construction, who each contributed 20 million won; and board member Park Chan-gap, who donated 10 million won.
The forum will support companies in establishing local operations, build supply-chain networks for materials, components and equipment, develop industry-ready talent, and promote public engagement — all in line with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix's semiconductor investment in the Honam region.
This year, the forum plans to form 50 subcommittee working groups, conduct a survey on corporate settlement conditions, and hold community briefing sessions, while expanding its activities to cover the eastern and western parts of South Jeolla Province.
The forum also plans to establish an affiliated Semiconductor Strategy Research Institute to develop policies supporting businesses and expanding industrial infrastructure.
sij@heraldcorp.com
