
Yongin, a city in Gyeonggi Province, is gearing up to lead the semiconductor industry under a mayor committed to investing all the city's administrative capacity to achieve the goal of becoming a global chip hub.
“Our vision of making Yongin a global semiconductor hub is taking shape,” said Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special City in an interview with The Korea Herald. “We will mobilize all administrative resources to ensure this project progresses smoothly and continues to attract world-class equipment manufacturers.”
He has been steering the city toward becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse, making landmark achievements in 2024 and charting ambitious goals for 2025.
Under Lee's leadership, Yongin has positioned itself as a pivotal force behind South Korea's semiconductor ambitions by addressing longstanding challenges and fostering industrial growth.
“With the achievements of 2024 as our foundation, we will continue working to establish Yongin as a global leader in the semiconductor industry,” Lee said in his New Year’s address.
One of the biggest steps toward realizing that goal was the removal of regulations last year, including a water source protection zone in Songtan that had restricted development for 45 years, and waterfront development restrictions in Pogok-eup.
According to city officials, this regulatory relief freed up over 66 square kilometers of land for development, enabling new opportunities for industrial complexes, housing and cultural facilities.
The first fabrication plant in Wonsam-myeon, Yongin -- projected to be five times the size of Lotte World Tower -- is set to break ground this March, while groundwork for a national high-tech semiconductor industrial complex in Idong-eup and Namsa-eup is scheduled to begin in the first half of this year. Additionally, leading overseas semiconductor companies are in discussions with the city to establish branches there.
Recognizing that robust infrastructure is vital for its growth, Yongin is undertaking key projects to enhance connectivity and support its burgeoning semiconductor clusters.
In 2024, the South Korean government approved the expansion of National Route 45, bypassing the usual feasibility study to fast-track the project by three years. Construction will begin in 2026, transforming the road into an eight-lane artery connecting the semiconductor cluster.
Yongin's connectivity with other cities is further set to grow through the extension of GTX Line A and the development of the expressway connecting Hwaseong’s Yanggam-myeon, Yongin’s Namsa-eup and Idong-eup, and Anseong’s Iljuk-myeon.
"We aim to establish Yongin as the southern Gyeonggi Province transportation hub by efficiently integrating major transit networks," Lee said.
Yongin’s ambitions go beyond infrastructure and industrial development, extending to global partnerships and sustainability.
The city has strengthened its international presence by forming strategic ties with municipalities in other parts of the world, such as Williamson County in the US state of Texas, with which it officially twinned in September 2024. Plans are underway for similar agreements with Fairfax County, Virginia, US, and Seville, Spain, to bolster Yongin’s global profile and foster economic and cultural collaboration.
At the same time, sustainability remains at the forefront of Yongin’s agenda. The Carbon Neutrality Support Center, established in 2024, is leading efforts to mitigate environmental impacts through 69 carbon-neutral initiatives and 39 climate adaptation projects planned for 2025.
These measures aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 556,000 tons while enhancing the water quality of key reservoirs near Giheung-gu and Idong-eup.
In addition to its environmental goals, Yongin is prioritizing investments in education and welfare. The city’s plan to establish Yongin Semiconductor Meister High School, a specialized institution for semiconductor-related education, was approved in April last year and is slated to open by March 2026.
Further, Yongin has secured additional government funding to improve local public schools, while its public libraries are undergoing extensive renovations. For the city’s aging population, Yongin is expanding smart senior centers and personalized transportation services, ensuring that growth benefits all citizens.
Amid intensifying global competition in technology and semiconductors, as well as turbulent domestic political conditions, Lee highlighted the importance of resilience and determination as key factors for overcoming these challenges.
“While circumstances remain uncertain, Yongin has proven its strength,” he said. “We will continue to overcome challenges and work toward a brighter future.”
He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to improving residents’ quality of life and elevating Yongin’s global standing.
"Together, we will create a better tomorrow," he said, urging citizens to join the journey toward a brighter future.