By Kim Yoo-chul

Samsung Electronics said Thursday it will invest 2.25 trillion won to build a new domestic chip-making line. It aims to boost its output for advanced mobile processors for use in tablets and smartphones.

The world’s biggest computer memory chip supplier said the new line, located in Hwaseong, Gyeeonggi Province, will go into operation in the latter half of next year in a statement.

``The new chip-making facility will produce 12-inch-sized wafers by using highly-advanced 14- and 20-nanometer processing technology, ’’ company spokesman Ken Noh said.

The new investment plan comes after Samsung shifted to profitable, less-volatile mobile processors. Unlike memory chips, which are used to read, write and store data, mobile processors are used to control entire computing systems.

Samsung is currently supplying mobile processors to top technology giants such as iPhone maker Apple as well as using them in its own products.

``The new chip line will help us produce valuable chips on a stable basis,’’ said the spokesman. The company recently announced plans to build its first overseas flash chip memory plant in Xian, China.

``Samsung will actively respond to the rising demand for high-end digital devices and will further strengthen supporting our existing customers,’’ Samsung Electronics President Woo Nam-sung was quoted as saying in a statement.