[Edaily Reporter Kim Se-yeon ] Hwang Ki-yeon, President of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, visited semiconductor companies in the Gwangju and South Jeolla regions and announced plans to strengthen financial support for capital investments and other needs. The aim is to foster the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor ecosystems outside the Seoul metropolitan area and to contribute to the creation of the “Honam Semiconductor Cluster.”

The Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) announced on the 3rd that President Hwang visited Amkor Technology Korea, a semiconductor packaging and testing specialist based in Gwangju, and Jaewon Industry, a semiconductor chemical materials specialist in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.
These visits are part of the “AI Great Transformation (AX) Special Program” launched by KEXIM earlier this year. Through this program, KEXIM plans to invest a total of 22 trillion won over the next five years, including 20 trillion won in financing across all sectors of the AI value chain and 2 trillion won to foster the related ecosystem.
On-site, President Hwang announced a policy to strengthen financial support aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies in the AI industry and fostering AI ecosystems outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
Amkor Technology Korea, the first company President Hwang visited, specializes in the packaging and testing (OSAT) of system semiconductors. The Amkor Group holds the second-largest market share in the global OSAT market, trailing only Taiwan’s ASE.
Lee Jin-an, CEO of Amkor Technology Korea, said, “We are considering capital investments, such as the construction of an additional factory, due to increasing demand for AI semiconductor packaging and testing,” adding, “We expect the Korea Development Bank to serve as a key partner in supporting the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem.”
President Hwang replied, “We will strengthen essential, tailored financial support to ensure the semiconductor ecosystem gains global competitiveness.”
President Hwang then visited Jaewon Industries, located in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. Jaewon Industries is a company that produces advanced chemical materials, such as high-purity solvents used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) semiconductor processes and dispersions for rechargeable battery conductive materials. Its clients include SamsungElectronics(005930), SK hynix(000660), and SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD.(006400).
Shim Seong-won, CEO of Jaewon Industries, stated, “Large-scale, preemptive investment is essential for cutting-edge strategic industries such as semiconductors and rechargeable batteries,” and requested financial support from Su-eun Bank.
President Hwang said, “To strengthen the competitiveness of the semiconductor ecosystem, KEXIM will actively support proactive investments.”