Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) CEO Hwang Ki-yeon, center, talks to officials from Duksan Hi-Metal in Ulsan, Feb. 4. Courtesy of Korea Eximbank
The head of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) visited key materials, parts and equipment companies in Ulsan and North Gyeongsang Province to support regional firms driving Korea’s artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, the state-run lender said Friday.
Korea Eximbank CEO Hwang Ki-yeon toured semiconductor and energy storage system (ESS) component makers in the southeastern part of the country as part of efforts to expand tailored export financing under its newly launched “AX Special Program.”
AX is short for “AI transformation,” and the drive has pledged more than 22 trillion won ($15 billion) in financial support over five years across the AI value chain.
The visit was Hwang’s first non-Seoul region trip since the program’s launch, highlighting the bank’s commitment to strengthening AI ecosystems beyond the Seoul metropolitan area.
In Ulsan, Hwang visited Duksan Hi-Metal, a semiconductor packaging materials manufacturer and supplier to Korea’s semiconductor powerhouses Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
Duksan Hi-Metal CEO stressed that financial support from the lender is essential for ensuring regionally based SMEs with advanced technologies can compete globally.
In response, Hwang reiterated that support measures for promising regional firms would be expanded so that future strategic AI industries can grow nationwide.
Hwang also visited HanJung Natural Connectivity System (NCS), a strong SME manufacturer of core components for water-cooled ESS.
The company supplies Samsung SDI and jointly developed Korea’s first water-cooled ESS. It also recently established a U.S. production subsidiary as part of its overseas expansion strategy.
Source: Korea Times News
