Chung Won-ju, chairman of Herald Corp., Joongheung Group and Daewoo Engineering, delivers opening remarks at the Semiconductor-AI Transformation International Forum for the proposed South Jeolla-Gwangju special city, co-hosted by The Herald Business, The Korea Herald and Namdo Ilbo, at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Thursday morning.
Chung Won-ju, chairman of Herald Corp., Joongheung Group and Daewoo Engineering, delivers opening remarks at the Semiconductor-AI Transformation International Forum for the proposed South Jeolla-Gwangju special city, co-hosted by The Herald Business, The Korea Herald and Namdo Ilbo, at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Thursday morning.

Chung Won-ju, chairman of Herald Corp., Joongheung Group and Daewoo Engineering, said three mega-projects pursued by the Lee Jae Myung administration have opened up new possibilities for the Honam region. He called it a golden opportunity to break free from the exodus of young people and a fragile industrial base. Chung also announced a donation of 10 billion won ($7.47 million) to support the success of a semiconductor cluster planned for the southwestern region.

"Our government is pursuing a new balanced national development and industrial strategy so that every region in the country can grow based on its own strengths," Chung said in his opening remarks at the Semiconductor-AI Transformation International Forum, held Thursday at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "These efforts are opening new possibilities through the Honam mega-project, which is being pursued as part of the broader trend toward balanced regional development."

"If Honam's AI capabilities and energy infrastructure are combined with advanced industries, including semiconductors, Honam can grow into a pillar supporting Korea's future industries," he said. "I am deeply grateful to President Lee Jae Myung and government officials for creating this new growth opportunity."

"The Honam mega-project is not simply about building a few semiconductor factories," Chung said. "Honam has long faced structural difficulties, including an exodus of young people, population decline, a crisis at regional universities and a fragile industrial base, but the success of the Honam mega-project can help it overcome these challenges." He added that Honam must transform from a region young people leave into one they come to.

"Joongheung Group was born in Honam and grew based in Honam," Chung said. "Joongheung Group will donate 10 billion won for the success of the Honam mega-project and Korea's semiconductor-AI cluster." Chung said he hopes the participation of companies, universities and institutions will follow, leading to the success of the Honam mega-project.


jeongwan@heraldcorp.com