"꿈을 넘어 실천으로"… 광주 반도체, '속도전' 이끌 해법은?

◀ Anchor ▶ The Gwangju Semiconductor Cluster development project, one of the government's three major mega-projects, is gaining momentum with the goal of mass production by 2030. From the issue of relocating the military airport for the industrial complex to securing large-scale electricity and water resources, and close cooperation between the region and companies, we examine the key challenges that will determine the success or failure of the semiconductor cluster. Reporter Park Seung-hwan reports. ◀ Report ▶ President Lee Jae-myung cited the Honam region semiconductor cluster as a key task to overcome the Seoul-centric mono-pole system and stated that he would personally oversee the acceleration of the project with the goal of starting operations by 2030. ◀ SYNC ▶ Lee Jae-myung / President (National Briefing on the Vision for Advanced Industries in the Southwest Region, Gwangju, on the 30th of last month) "If we continue with the current Seoul-centric mono-pole system, the country will be ruined. We must strike a balance so that the national territory can be used efficiently and properly..." There are four years remaining until the goal is achieved. Experts advise that the success or failure of the project will depend on how quickly specific tasks, such as the relocation of the military airport and securing large-scale electricity and water resources, are resolved. In particular, electricity is the key to the development of the Gwangju Semiconductor Complex. The crucial issue is how to bring in the massive 6.3 GW of electricity; however, analysis suggests that efficient reallocation of the existing transmission network alone, without the need to construct new power plants, would be sufficient. ◀ SYNC ▶ Moon Seung-il / Chairman of the Industrial Economy Committee of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Transformation Planning Committee "The electricity generated from the Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant is about 6 GW. Until now, since there was no demand in this region, most of it was sent to the Seoul area. The proposal is to connect power lines to that area so that we can use it within our own region..." Regarding water supply, self-sufficiency is also fully possible by raising the height of the Dongbok Dam and connecting waterways in surrounding areas. The issue of workforce training, which is the biggest concern, can also be resolved through field-oriented education. ◀ SYNC ▶ Lee Bong-ryeol / Citizen Reporter specializing in semiconductors (OhmyNews) "About half of the workforce consists of high school graduates or junior college graduates who are in charge of production and manufacturing. We bring them to actual operating fabs and provide one-on-one apprenticeship-style training on-site. Then, once the fabs are fully built, we assign them there." The National Assembly and the government are accelerating the preparation of the 'Mega Special Zone Act' to support this. ◀ SYNC ▶ Im Moon-young / Member of the National Assembly (Gwangju Gwangsan-eul) "A special committee for the three major mega-projects has been established within the Democratic Party, and I have joined as a special committee member. We are preparing to provide complete support for the three major mega-projects in all aspects of policy and legislation." Adding to this is the creation of a logistics ecosystem connecting Gwangju and Muan. Experts advise that the success of the semiconductor cluster is now possible only when it is underpinned by practical strategies such as 'power grid connections' and 'on-site training,' rather than grandiose visions. However, the fact that the specific roadmap for the start of construction still depends on the company's will remains a challenge to be addressed. This is Park Seung-hwan from MBC News. Video Coverage: Im Won-hu ◀ END ▶