2 billion won to be donated annually for five years starting next year

Funds to support semiconductor infrastructure and talent development

Jung Won-ju (right), vice chairman of Jungheung Group, and Min Hyeong-bae, mayor of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, pose for a photo at a donation MOU signing ceremony for the Honam Semiconductor Mega Project. [Jungheung Group]
Jung Won-ju (right), vice chairman of Jungheung Group, and Min Hyeong-bae, mayor of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, pose for a photo at a donation MOU signing ceremony for the Honam Semiconductor Mega Project. [Jungheung Group]

Jungheung Group announced Monday that it will donate 10 billion won ($7.47 million) to support the Honam Semiconductor Mega Project and help attract and retain talented professionals in the region.

The group signed a donation MOU with the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City on Thursday at the Gwangju Government Complex business room.

The signing ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman Jung Won-ju of Jungheung Group and Mayor Min Hyeong-bae, along with key group executives including Kim Hae-geun, chief executive of Jungheung E&C; Lee Gyeong-ho, chief executive of Jungheung Construction; Kim Jeong-hun, head of the civil engineering division at Daewoo E&C; and Shin Gyeong-sik, chief executive of Jungbong Construction.

Under the agreement, Jungheung Group will donate 2 billion won annually from 2027 through 2031, totaling 10 billion won. The funds will be directed toward attracting chipmakers to the region, training specialized personnel and building research infrastructure. A portion will also go toward scholarships for outstanding university students and young researchers in strategic local industries and advanced technology fields, as well as programs to strengthen employment capabilities linked to regional industries — part of a broader initiative to cultivate locally rooted talent.

"I hope this donation will be put to meaningful use not only in advancing the Honam Semiconductor Mega Project and the semiconductor and AI cluster, but also in nurturing and retaining talented people in the region," Jung said. "Jungheung Group will continue to support the development of future industries and talent with a sense of responsibility to grow alongside the local community."

Mayor Min said the 10 billion won donation from Jungheung Group was "a meaningful investment in the success of the Honam semiconductor project and the development of local talent," adding that the city would manage the funds transparently and substantively so that corporate social contributions translate into future regional growth.

The Honam Semiconductor Mega Project is a large-scale initiative centered on the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, aimed at establishing an AI-based advanced semiconductor specialized complex and a hub research institute. Launched after the integrated special city was established, the project targets balanced regional development and the securing of future growth engines. Jungheung Group's donation is expected to accelerate efforts to attract science and engineering talent to the region and lure global chipmakers.

The project brings together the central government, local authorities and major companies around a combined investment of 800 trillion won, and is expected to transform the Honam region into a national hub for cutting-edge industries. Once a semiconductor cluster linked to AI data center and renewable energy infrastructure is fully operational, it is projected to draw young talent to the region and create hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, generating significant economic growth locally.


hwshin@heraldcorp.com