[Edaily Reporter Cho Yong Seok ] SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won announced plans to establish a semiconductor production hub in the Honam region that would be two-thirds the size of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. He also left open the possibility of simultaneously constructing factories in both Yongin and Gwangju to meet rapidly growing demand for semiconductors.

On the 9th, Chairman Choi made his first visit to the site of the former military airport and ammunition depot in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, where the Honam Region semiconductor cluster is slated to be built. Accompanied by key executives, including SK Hynix CEO Kwak No-jeong, he inspected the military airport and ammunition depot areas and received a briefing from Min Hyung-bae, Mayor of the Gwangju Integrated Special City in South Jeolla Province, on the status of infrastructure preparations, including land, power, water, and transportation.

Speaking to reporters on site, Chairman Choi said, “So far, we have a plan that is about two-thirds the size of the Yongin site,” adding, “If there is more land available and greater demand, we fully expect this site to grow even larger.” This marks the first time Chairman Choi has revealed the planned scale of the Honam production hub in comparison to Yongin.

SK Hynix plans to sequentially construct a total of four fabs at the Yongin cluster. The first fab, Y1, aims to open its first cleanroom in February of next year. Assuming equal production capacity per fab, “two-thirds of Yongin’s capacity” would correspond to the production capacity of approximately 2.7 Yongin fabs. However, Chairman Choi’s remarks refer to a level that can be considered from a capacity (CAPA) perspective, and specific details are expected to be gradually finalized based on conditions such as land acquisition and infrastructure readiness.

Chairman Choi noted that while he had accelerated the Yongin cluster development schedule by 12 years, this alone would not be sufficient to meet demand, and he placed particular emphasis on “speed.” SK Hynix has already moved up the target completion date for the construction of four fabs in the Yongin cluster from 2045 to 2033.

Chairman Choi explained the rationale for securing an additional production base in Gwangju, stating, “I felt that even moving the schedule up by 12 years was insufficient, so we need another site and further development.” He added, “If necessary, circumstances may arise where we have to build them in parallel,” leaving open the possibility of simultaneous construction of semiconductor plants in Yongin and Gwangju.

Chairman Choi has repeatedly emphasized the urgency of expanding production facilities during recent internal and external meetings, stating, “To lead the AI era, we must more than double our memory semiconductor production capacity within the next five years.” Following the site inspection that day, he instructed his management team, “Work closely with the government and local authorities to proceed with the establishment of the Southwest Region semiconductor cluster as quickly as possible.”

He also left open the possibility of beginning construction even if the development of infrastructure—such as power and water supply—is delayed. Chairman Choi said, “Even if the water and power supplies are delayed, my plan is to move forward as soon as we can get the timing right,” adding, “I don’t really have any plans to cut corners on construction costs.”

However, he did not specify a concrete start date for construction, explaining that the plans for power and water supply must be reviewed in conjunction with the construction schedule. He emphasized, “I cannot give an answer today because we need to review the timing further, but the point is that we will move forward as quickly as possible.”

Mayor Min Hyung-bae responded, “On behalf of the 3.2 million special citizens of Gwangju, I would like to express my gratitude to Chairman Choi Tae-won for clearly demonstrating his commitment to advancing the semiconductor cluster.” He added, “We will provide solid support—not only for core infrastructure such as the site, power, and water supply but also for talent development and living conditions—so that SK Hynix can stably build and operate a world-class semiconductor factory in an optimal environment.”

SK Hynix announced plans last June to establish a new cluster worth 400 trillion won in the Honam region. Since then, company executives have visited Gwangju more than 10 times to continue discussions with local authorities. On this day, Mayor Min pledged to provide support for infrastructure—including land, power, and water—as well as talent development and living conditions.