“The world is in the ‘electronic survival’ era… We need to pass the semiconductor special law.”

KCCI Holds ‘Essential Infrastructure for Advanced Industries Seminar’ at National Assembly
Experts Call for National Dedication to Infrastructure Development for Electricity and Water Supply

KCCI holds a seminar on essential infrastructure for advanced industries
[Provided by KCCI. Redistribution and Database Prohibited]

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Tae-woo – It has been suggested that bold legislation and policies are needed to build essential infrastructure such as electricity, water, and roads for advanced industries.

On the 26th, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), along with the parliamentary research group ‘Future National Infrastructure Innovation Forum’, held the ‘Essential Infrastructure for Advanced Industries Seminar’ at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building.

At the seminar, experts from the economic and academic sectors discussed the importance of essential infrastructure for advanced industries and explored support measures.

Rendering of SK Hynix’s Yongin Semiconductor Cluster
SK Hynix, participating as an anchor company, is establishing this general industrial complex at Wonsam-myeon, Yongin. 2024.11.14 [Provided by SK Hynix. Redistribution and Database Prohibited]

Professor Cho Hong-jong from Dankook University noted, “While major competing countries actively support infrastructure development, domestic support systems are relatively inadequate,” emphasizing that a stable and efficient infrastructure is essential to enhancing competitiveness in advanced industries.

He further recommended considering infrastructure policies from a national strategic perspective, calling for measures like the establishment of a control tower for infrastructure support, mandatory government responsibility for infrastructure development, and the introduction of a comprehensive infrastructure management system.

Server DRAM at SK Hynix
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Server DRAM exhibited at the SK Hynix booth during the 26th Semiconductor Exhibition SEDEX 2024 at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 23rd. 2024.10.23 ksm7976@yna.co.kr

There were also calls for urgent government measures to secure electricity and water supply essential for strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s semiconductor industry, which is a key export sector.

Professor Park Jong-bae from Konkuk University described it as an era of “electronic survival,” where nations are committing resources to secure stable electricity for high-tech industries like semiconductors and data centers.

He pointed out that the essential transmission infrastructure for power supply to the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster faces delays of up to 150 months due to regional residents, local governments, and regulations, thereby advocating for the swift enactment of a special law to expand the national power grid and simultaneous construction of nearby power plants.

The Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, planned for completion by 2042, is set to be the world’s largest advanced system semiconductor complex, accommodating up to 150 companies including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and other domestic and international material, part, and equipment companies.

Concerning water supply, Cho Young-moo, Senior Research Fellow at Gyeonggi Research Institute, indicated, “The demand for industrial water for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster is at least 1.7 million m³ per day, yet the currently available amount is about 770,000 m³, indicating a significant shortage.”

He proposed exploring ways to maximize the use of existing infrastructure and considering new dam constructions to ensure a stable water supply.

Discussions also covered support for the development of infrastructure like industrial complexes and roads, as well as wastewater treatment for the battery of the secondary battery industry.

Song Suk-jun, a representative member of the Innovation Forum (People Power Party), emphasized in a welcome video that “the competitiveness of advanced industries is a crucial factor determining the future destiny of the nation,” highlighting the importance of swift and bold legislation and policy implementation due to the substantial capital and time required to establish infrastructure such as electricity, water, and roads for advanced industries.

Park Il-joon, executive vice chairman of KCCI, delivering a greeting at the seminar on essential infrastructure for advanced industries
[Provided by KCCI. Redistribution and Database Prohibited]

Park Il-joon, Executive Vice Chairman of KCCI, warned, “If infrastructure development is delayed, we may lose timeliness in the global market, seriously falling behind in the winner-takes-all structure of advanced industries,” stressing the need for a national, decisive resolution such as passing the Semiconductor Special Act, for the hundred-year economic plan of the country and the fate of future generations.

The event was attended by five members from the parliamentary research group, including Kang Dae-shik of the People Power Party and Son Myeong-su, Kim Young-jin, Hong Ki-won, and Yum Tae-young of the Democratic Party.

From the business sector, attendees included Choi Seung-hoon, Vice President of Samsung Electronics; Jeong Sang-rok, Vice President of SK Hynix; Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor; Park Jun-seong, Vice President of LG; Im Seong-bok, Executive Director of Lotte Holdings; and Lee Joon-myung, Head of the Infrastructure Business Division at Hanwha Construction Division.

burning@yna.co.kr