SK’s Chey Says SK hynix Will Break Ground Even if Power, Water Supplies Are Delayed
Summary
- Chairman Chey Tae-won said SK hynix would speed up production facility expansion to meet rising semiconductor demand and would break ground even if power and water supplies are delayed.
- Chey said bringing forward the completion of the Yongin complex by 12 years would still not be enough, and that development of another site would move ahead in parallel.
- Chey said the Honam semiconductor cluster is currently planned at two-thirds the size of Yongin, but could grow further depending on land demand, and that the company would not skimp on construction costs.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Chey Tae-won Visits Planned Site for Relocated Ammunition Depot at Gwangju Military Airport
“Semiconductor Demand Is Rising Fast, Expansion Must Accelerate”
“Honam Cluster Planned at Two-Thirds the Size of Yongin, but It Could Grow”
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said on Oct. 9 that SK hynix would begin construction even if supplies of key infrastructure such as electricity and water are delayed. The company has concluded it must expand production capacity as quickly as possible as semiconductor demand rises rapidly.
Chey made the remarks during an afternoon visit to the planned site for the relocated ammunition depot at Gwangju Military Airport. “We see semiconductor demand increasing at a considerably fast pace,” he said. “We need to step up the pace of expansion.”
He said the completion date for the Yongin complex had already been moved up by 12 years, but that still would not be enough. Another site needs to be developed, and the projects should proceed in parallel. He said the purpose of the visit was to assess how quickly facilities could be built there.
“Demand is rising quickly, so we also need to increase the pace of supply,” Chey said. “If delays in electricity and water push back the timing, we will move ahead with construction first. We will not spare construction spending.”
Chey also left open the possibility of a larger investment. The Honam semiconductor cluster is currently being planned at about two-thirds the size of the Yongin complex, he said. If additional land demand emerges, the project could become larger.
Separately, Chey received a briefing on the site from officials at the Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing. He also heard plans for infrastructure development, including electricity, water supply and permits, from officials of the proposed integrated special city of Jeonnam and Gwangju, before touring the planned ammunition depot relocation site for about 15 minutes.
Noh Jung-dong, Hankyung.com reporter dong2@hankyung.com
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