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.Q.Q.Q.