Our top story this evening.... President Moon Jae-in has praised Samsung Display's decision to invest some 11 billion U.S. dollars into the display sector.<br />He says it will help South Korea maintain its position as the world's number one display maker.<br />He also said it will help the country become more self-sufficient in parts, materials, and equipment,... which have been affected by Japan's trade curbs.<br />Our Park Hee-jun starts us off.<br />Samsung Display has agreed to invest around eleven billion U.S. dollars into its next-generation display business until 2025,... to secure South Korea's position as the global leader in displays.<br />An event was held at a Samsung Display factory in Chungcheongnam-do Province,... to celebrate this major investment.<br />"As we promised, we will create jobs and bring hopes and dreams to our young people by investing more than 10.9 billion U.S. dollars into next-generation large displays."<br />Welcoming the announcement, President Moon described it as the starting point of strengthening South Korea's display industry,... into one that no country will dare to challenge.<br />"Today's event is the starting point of making our key parts, materials and equipment sector independent. We are now on our way to becoming a display and manufacturing powerhouse that no one can challenge, while maintaining our number one spot in the world."<br />President Moon vowed that the government will support Samsung's bold challenge through its own efforts.<br />That includes injecting more than 334-million dollars into the industry over the next seven years.<br />The President also reassured the public that local display manufacturers will no longer fall under the whim of Japan's export curbs on key high-tech materials.<br />"People must be concerned over the recent export curbs because certain parts, materials, and equipment in the display sector are reliant on particular countries. Can they stop worrying now?"<br />"Yes, there is no need to worry We will make sure to boost our competence in displays so that no one can challenge our dominance."<br />Also during his economic tour to Chungcheongnam-do Province,... President Moon unveiled his plans to raise Korea's status in the oceans industry.<br />He vowed to actively nurture the marine-bio, marine tourism, eco-friendly ship, and ocean energy industries,... expanding them into a 9-billion dollar market by 2030.<br />He also promised to support related startups,... by cultivating 20 firms with sales of more than 83-million dollars by 2030.<br />Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.<br />
