Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gumi Join Forces to Achieve Self-Sufficiency of Defense Industry Semiconductors

Geyongsangbuk-do Gov. Lee Cheol-woo. (Photo: Gyeongsangbuk-do)

Gyeongsangbuk-do struck a contract to achieve self-sufficiency for defense semiconductors with major research institutions in the national defense and semiconductor sectors, universities and the industry’s representative companies with Gyeongsangbuk-do Economic Vice Gov. Yang Geum-hee and Gumi Mayor in attendance at Gumi City Hall on Feb. 12.

Among the signatories were KIST, SNU Semiconductor Joint Research Institute, MINT, DGIST, Kumho National Institute of Technology, Kyungwoon University, KEC, Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1.

The deal is designed to set up a mutual cooperation system to achieve self-sufficiency in national defense semiconductors and building the related industry ecosystem, with Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gumi City playing central roles.

National defense and semiconductor sector research institutes, universities, and defense industry and semiconductor companies were also in attendance.

Of late, amid rising global geopolitical uncertainties and defense industry demand, defense industry semiconductors have been highlighted as core strategic assets directly related to national security and future national defense power foundation.

Currently, given the situation in which Korea depends on foreign imports for 98.9 percent of the nation’s defense industry semiconductor demand, securing technology self-sufficiency and stable supply chains are recognized as an essential task that can be delayed no longer.

In order to cope with these policy and industry environment changes, Gyeongsangbuk-do set defense industry semiconductors as a core strategic sector related to regional mainstay industries, and came up with proactive steps to achieve self-sufficiency and secure industry competitiveness.

The provincial government struck an MOU to achieve self-sufficiency of defense industry semiconductors with KIST, and they have been fully implementing three core research tasks since early this year.

Under the latest deal, participating institutions plans to set joint goals of securing technology self-sufficiency of defense industry semiconductors, ramp up joint R&D and policy connectivity and build a cooperation foundation for inducing research outcomes to industrialization via verification and testing.

The provincial government plans to expand its cooperation scope to the quantum censor segment of defense industry semiconductors, which will spearhead future defense industry technologies and accelerate efforts to build the next-generation defense industry technology ecosystem.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Economic Vice Gov. Yang Geum-hee and Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho attend a ceremony to sign a contract to achieve self-sufficiency for defense semiconductors with representatives of major research institutions in the national defense and semiconductor sectors, universities and the industry’s representative companies at Gumi City Hall on Feb. 12. (Photo: Gumi City)

With the signing of the MOU, the provincial government plans to further systemize a defense industry semiconductor cooperation regime with industry, academy and research circles participating and inaugurate a defense industry semiconductor consultation committee in March to discuss details, such as exploring of tasks, joint planning and verification connectivity.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Vice Gov. Yang said, “Defense industry semiconductor technologies are a core strategy area, directly related to national security, beyond a simple industry, and Gyeongsangbuk-do will offer full support to establish it as a defense industry semiconductor self-sufficiency center by converging its own industry and research capabilities.”

Gyeongsangbuk-do Declares ‘Visit Gyeongbuk Year 2026’

Gyeongsangbuk-do declared “Visit Gyeongbuk Year 2026” at a ceremony in Myeongju Garden in Sangju on Feb. 11.

The event was designed to make 2026 a turning point to transform the province’s tourism constitution and make a leap forward as a tourism center of global competitiveness, based on its intrinsic history, culture, nature and maritime resources.

The event was attended by some 200 officials from the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Organizations, City and County Culture & Tourism Foundations and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).

During the ceremony, the provincial government presented “NEXT 2030 Gyeongbuk Tourism Vision,” portraying Gyeongsangbuk-do, a “K-tourism” center that will lead the nation’s tourism.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Reaffirms ‘Administration Integration’ of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongsangbuk-do Gov. Lee Cheol-woo issued a statement concerning the provincial government’s position on the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do at the provincial government on Feb. 11.

In the statement, Gov. Lee said, “Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do have been pursuing administrative integration most vigorously in the nation since 2019, and as a special act fully contained provincial and city residents’ regional diverse demands during the long-time debate and deliberation process, administrative integration should be implemented.”