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‘Gyeol-sil,’ the Total Display Partner Behind the LED Screens That Lit Up APEC in Gyeongju
35 Billion Won Invested to Establish Busan LED Manufacturing Cluster, Integrating Manufacturing and R&D
Advanced SMT Lines to Be Expanded by More Than Double; Fostering a Hub for Micro-LEDs and Exports
Chun Byung-min, CEO of K-Sys, explains the ‘Smart LED Manufacturing Cluster Construction Plan’ developed in partnership with Busan Metropolitan City. [Information & Communication News = Reporter Kim Yeon-kyun]
From ultra-high-definition screens to sustainable innovation, the future of LED displays is evolving dynamically.
With the recent expansion of 5G technology, the capabilities of IoT-connected LED displays are increasing exponentially, becoming more dynamic and responsive. There are also forecasts that this will lay the groundwork for data-driven advertising and information delivery.
This rosy outlook is driven by the hard work of companies leading technological innovation. A prime example is the LED display showcased during the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, which was widely praised as a testament to the efforts of companies dedicated to in-house R&D.
Cheon Byung-min, CEO of K-Sys, whose company installed LED display panels consisting of 2,229 cabinets and 8,342 LED modules across 15 locations at the APEC venue, stated, “I believe this marks a turning point where our efforts as a display solution partner—taking responsibility for the entire process from planning, design, and development to production, installation, and maintenance, rather than merely being a product manufacturer—have borne fruit.” He added, “Based on our experience completing this seemingly impossible 45-day installation, we will solidify our position as a leading LED display company in Korea, enhance our international credibility, and use this as a springboard for global expansion.”
Boasting impressive accolades—including being the first company in Korea to be simultaneously designated as an “Excellent Product” and “Innovative Product” by the Public Procurement Service in the information display sector, ranking first nationwide in the number of procurement contracts, and achieving high-growth sales averaging over 50% annually—K-SIS is preparing to write a new chapter in the LED display market.
The “Smart LED Manufacturing Cluster” project, undertaken in partnership with Busan Metropolitan City, is at the heart of this initiative.
Recently, K-Sys signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Busan Metropolitan City and announced a plan to build a 35 billion won smart LED manufacturing cluster. The core of the plan is to relocate and expand K-Sys’s headquarters to the Eco Delta City area in Gangseo-gu, Busan, and establish a next-generation smart manufacturing hub that integrates manufacturing, logistics, and R&D functions.
Regarding the signing of the MOU, CEO Cheon Byung-min emphasized, “As a city with a well-balanced infrastructure for manufacturing, logistics, ports, and global business, Busan is actively fostering future strategic industries through the designation of high-tech industrial complexes and Opportunity Development Zones.” He added, “The Smart LED Manufacturing Cluster, which aligns with the city’s industrial strategy, will serve as a manufacturing innovation platform that leads the standardization, automation, and advancement of the domestic LED industry.”
According to the plan to establish the Smart LED Manufacturing Cluster, K-Sys’s new headquarters and a smart automated manufacturing plant will be constructed on a 3,300-pyeong site within the Busan Eco-Delta City High-Tech Industrial Complex.
In particular, K-Sys’s state-of-the-art SMT (Surface-mount technology) line is planned to be expanded to more than double its current capacity.
According to the company, the annual production capacity for LED modules and hub boards, currently estimated at 12 to 15 billion won, is expected to expand to 40 to 50 billion won following the new factory expansion. With the expansion of the SMT line, the scale of the outdoor line, assembly line, and aging room is also expected to increase.
CEO Cheon Byung-min stated, “With the introduction of Chip-on-Board (COB) lines and automated production lines for micro-LED display panels into the smart LED manufacturing cluster, it will grow into a hub for micro-LED R&D and global exports.” He added, “We also plan to attract a development center for Korean-style A/V switchers and LED controllers in collaboration with Novastar.”
K-SIS’s strategy for establishing the Smart LED Manufacturing Cluster involves leveraging a collaborative network.
CEO Cheon Byung-min said, “In addition to administrative and financial support from the Busan Metropolitan City, we are currently pursuing support for smart factory and R&D advancement, as well as COB and micro-LED research collaboration with Busan Technopark and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology.” He added, “In particular, we plan to build an ecosystem for mutual growth with small and medium-sized manufacturing partners and expand it into an open LED manufacturing alliance in the long term.”
With this investment as a catalyst, K-Sys aims to hire over 100 new smart workforce members, achieve 50 billion won in revenue within three years, reach 100 billion won in revenue within five years, and pursue an IPO (Initial Public Offering).
The company also plans to expand into overseas markets.
CEO Cheon Byung-min noted, “In the U.S., demand for commercial and control system LEDs is surging, and the market is being restructured around ‘high quality and stability.’” He also expressed his ambition, saying, “Through collaboration with Novastar and the identification of local partners in the U.S., we will establish the ‘Made by KSYS’ quality standard in the local market.”
Meanwhile, CEO Cheon Byung-min offered a sober assessment of the domestic LED display market.
He expressed the view that securing in-house production capabilities is paramount to resolving issues stemming from past global supply chain crises—such as logistics disruptions, raw material price fluctuations, and factory shutdowns—as well as the reliance on imported modules and components that exhibit significant batch-to-batch variations.
CEO Cheon Byung-min advised, “The LED industry is rapidly expanding into a convergence industry that connects not only manufacturing technology but also content, data, AI, monitoring, and services. Standardized quality, service-based competitiveness, and long-term market trust will become even more important than simple module production capacity.” He added, “I hope an industrial environment is created where we can grow together to develop a ‘Korean-style LED manufacturing ecosystem’ trusted worldwide.”
K-Sys, which possesses comprehensive display solution technologies including planning, design, development, production, installation, and maintenance, installed LED display panels throughout the APEC Summit venue.