Korean president, Samsung Electronics chief discuss chip cluster investment in southern region

President Lee Jae Myung met with Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Thursday to discuss plans for regional semiconductor investments, including the possible development of a chip cluster in the southwestern Honam region. The meeting at Cheong Wa Dae is set to touch on plans for the proposed Honam semiconductor cluster, as well as investment projects by top chipmakers — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Inc. — according to industry sources. The talks are widely viewed as part of the ongoing preparations for the government's upcoming conference on balanced regional development, tentatively scheduled for next Monday. The president had earlier met with the head of SK hynix to exchange views on regional investments. At the latest get-together, Samsung Electronics may outline a large-scale regional investment plan. Earlier, Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, said the greater Seoul area is facing growing constraints on land, electricity and water resources, suggesting the government may seek to establish an additional semiconductor cluster outside the ca