Kim Han-seung, first vice minister of the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, inspects Jangheung Dam in South Jeolla Province on July 10 to review water supply arrangements for new semiconductor industrial complexes in the Honam region. [Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy]
Kim Han-seung, first vice minister of the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, inspects Jangheung Dam in South Jeolla Province on July 10 to review water supply arrangements for new semiconductor industrial complexes in the Honam region. [Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy]

Kim Han-seung, first vice minister of the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, said Wednesday that the ministry would work closely with relevant agencies to ensure water supplies for semiconductor industrial complexes are delivered on schedule in line with companies' investment timelines.

Kim made the remarks as he launched on-site inspections of water supply progress at semiconductor complexes in the Honam region and Yongin, stressing that "for large-scale investment in the semiconductor industry to translate into actual production, it is above all critical that key infrastructure — including power and water — be put in place on time."

At a meeting held Wednesday at the Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Office in Seo-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, officials from related agencies — including Gwangju Special City, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Korea Environment Corporation and Korea Rural Community Corporation — reviewed project-by-project schedules and discussed the surveys, design work, permitting and funding needed to accelerate progress.

A follow-up meeting at Yongin City Hall on Thursday will review the current status of the integrated water supply project for the Yongin semiconductor complex, which has been under way since 2023. Officials from Gyeonggi Province, Yongin City and Korea Water Resources Corporation are expected to share information on aligning the timeline for companies' semiconductor manufacturing facility operations with water supply schedules, and to discuss cooperation needed to advance permitting and other project processes.

The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy said it plans to continue monitoring water supply project progress at major semiconductor industry hubs to ensure the infrastructure companies need for their investments is built on time.


thlee@heraldcorp.com