Seoul: Four U.S. companies have committed to investing a combined 2.8 trillion won (US$2 billion) in South 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.

According to Yonhap News Agency, 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. Chip equipment maker Axcelis also plans to expand production of ion implantation systems in South 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 South Korea as an attractive investment destination and use their projects here as a springboard for advancing into other global markets," Kim said.