South Korea, SK hynix, Gyeonggi Invest $621 Million in Chip Test Facility

1 articles · Updated · 매일경제 · Aug 10

$621.23 million will fund Trinity Fab in Yongin, a 3,300-square-meter testing site designed to mirror a live semiconductor mass-production line.
The project targets Korea's weak equipment self-sufficiency, with industry officials warning reliance on foreign tools could erode its long-term memory-chip lead.
Imports underscore that gap: January-May semiconductor and display equipment purchases jumped 42.8% to $11.79 billion, while related exports slipped 0.4% to $2.16 billion.
Localization remains uneven—materials have risen to about the 50% range since Japan's export curbs, but equipment stays below 30%, leaving the overall rate in the mid-30% range.
The government will supply 300 billion won of equipment, while SK hynix is providing a free cleanroom and about 20 engineers to help materials, parts and equipment firms test products.