[Edaily Reporter Kim Kyung-eun ] Construction stocks in the Honam region are on the rise amid growing expectations for semiconductor investments by SamsungElectronics and SK hynix in the region.

According to MP Doctor on the 26th, as of 9:12 a.m. that day, Nam Hwa Construction Company, Limited(091590)was trading at 6,220 won, up 1,080 won (21.01%) from the previous trading day. At the same time, KUMHOE&C(002990)was trading at 5,720 won, up 620 won (12.16%) from the previous close.

Nam Hwa Construction Company, Limited and KUMHOE&C are publicly traded construction companies headquartered in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. This surge in buying interest in regional theme stocks is interpreted as a reaction to rumors of semiconductor investments by SamsungElectronics and SK hynix in the Honam region. This is driven by expectations that demand for related infrastructure construction will increase if large-scale semiconductor factories are built there.

According to political circles, the outline of SamsungElectronics and SK hynix’s investment plans for the Honam semiconductor cluster is expected to be revealed at the public-private joint meeting on the “Grand Transformation of National Land and Space” (Balanced Regional Development), scheduled for the 29th.

President Lee Jae-myung reportedly held a dinner meeting with SamsungElectronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong at the Blue House the previous day to coordinate the relevant plans. Earlier, on the 19th, President Lee reportedly met with SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won at the Blue House to discuss the matter.

Kim Yong-beom, the President’s Chief of Staff for Policy, officially confirmed the creation of the Honam semiconductor cluster for the first time on the 24th, stating, “Discussions (with SamsungElectronics, SK hynix, and others) are nearing their final stages.”