Which U.S. companies are investing in Korea's semiconductor and energy sectors?

Air Products, Axcelis, Corning and Pacifico Energy have pledged the combined investment. Their projects cover semiconductor gases, ion implantation systems, advanced materials and offshore wind power.

What projects will Pacifico Energy and the other firms develop in Korea?

Pacifico Energy plans a 3.2-gigawatt offshore wind power complex in the Jeonnam-Gwangju area, which is expected to host a new semiconductor cluster. Air Products, Axcelis and Corning are expanding facilities tied to semiconductor production and advanced materials.

Seoul attracts $2 bil. from 4 US firms in chip, energy sectors

Q: How much will the four U.S. firms invest in Korea and when was it announced?

The commitments total 2.8 trillion won, or about $2 billion. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced them at a ceremony in Washington on Sept. 3, U.S. time.

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Summary

Four U.S. companies have committed to investing a combined 2.8 trillion won in Korea in semiconductor, advanced materials and energy projects. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced the commitments at a ceremony in Washington on Sept. 3 attended by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan. Air Products, Axcelis, Corning and Pacifico Energy each outlined expansion plans in Korea. Kim said the government will fully support the firms so they can use Korea as a base for global expansion.

Key Facts

Air Products plans to expand its semiconductor gas production facilities in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul.
Axcelis plans to expand production of ion implantation systems in Korea and strengthen its Korean facility as an export hub for the Asia-Pacific market.
Corning will invest in equipment and manufacturing capabilities for advanced materials used in next-generation mobile devices and semiconductors.
Pacifico Energy plans to develop a 3.2-gigawatt offshore wind power complex in the southwestern Jeonnam-Gwangju area.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 4, 2026 9:37 am KST

Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, center, poses with officials from four U.S. companies that announced plans to invest a combined 2.8 trillion won ($2 bilion) in Korea's semiconductor, advanced materials and energy sectors during an investment ceremony in Washington, Thursday (local time). Yonhap

Four U.S. companies have committed to investing a combined 2.8 trillion won ($2 billion) in Korea in the semiconductor, advanced materials and energy sectors, the industry ministry said Friday.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced the investment commitments at a ceremony co-hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Washington on Sept. 3 (U.S. time), attended by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan.

Under the commitments, Air Products, a U.S. supplier of industrial gases, plans to expand its semiconductor gas production facilities in Pyeongtaek, just south of Seoul, the ministry said in a press release.

Chip equipment maker Axcelis also plans to expand production of ion implantation systems in Korea, strengthening the role of its Korean facility as an export hub for the Asia-Pacific market.

Corning, a specialty materials company, will strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and invest in equipment for advanced materials used in next-generation mobile devices and semiconductors.

Renewable energy company Pacifico Energy plans to develop a 3.2-gigawatt offshore wind power complex in the southwestern Jeonnam-Gwangju area, which is expected to host a new semiconductor cluster.

"The government will provide full-scale support to help these companies establish Korea as an attractive investment destination and use their projects here as a springboard for advancing into other global markets," Kim said.

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