Honam region launches autonomous R&D project for semiconductors and energy

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City is launching the ‘Honam Region Regional Autonomous R&D Project’ to drive local industrial growth. This initiative shifts research and development support from a central government-led model to a region-led model, allowing local areas to plan and execute projects based on their specific industrial conditions and technological capabilities.

The Ministry of Science and ICT is overseeing the broader ‘4-Pole 3-Special Regional Autonomous R&D Project,’ which will invest a total of 78.9 billion won across seven regions in South Korea. For the Honam region specifically, 13.1 billion won will be allocated this year.

The project will focus on three key priority sectors:

• Semiconductors: Developing AI-based advanced packaging, thermal management, and high-reliability power semiconductor technologies. • Energy: Securing next-generation clean energy technologies, including virtual transmission lines, sodium-ion battery-based energy storage systems (ESS), and green hydrogen linked with laser fusion. • Mobility: Implementing AI autonomous manufacturing based on multi-type robots, non-destructive diagnosis of used batteries, and urban digital twin-based traffic safety and disaster response technologies.