▲ President Lee Jae-myung presides over a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review session at the Blue House on the 30th.
President Lee Jae-myung stated today (the 30th) regarding the government-announced semiconductor cluster project in the southwestern region, "While it is true that there is a significant amount of investment in the Honam region when looking at this project alone, it is merely a drop in the bucket when compared to the cumulative investment made historically."
During the Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review session held at the Blue House today, President Lee remarked, "There seem to be some mentions of regional discrimination (regarding this announcement), but I ask for everyone's understanding," and added the aforementioned comment.
President Lee explained, "It is a painful past, but it is an undeniable fact that there was discrimination between the Yeongnam and Honam regions," adding, "Honam has faced many difficulties due to exclusion and discrimination, but there is an aspect where this has turned into a blessing in disguise, as water, electricity, and land have been well-managed."
He continued, "High-tech industries, especially those related to semiconductors, are industries where electricity, water, and land are the most critical factors, and it is no longer possible to secure electricity and water in the Seoul metropolitan area," and added, "With the AI boom creating a situation where large-scale investment is necessary, Honam was the space with the capacity, which led to this decision."
He emphasized, "We could not forcibly correct (regional discrimination), but a new environment has fortunately created a situation that will, at least to some extent, alleviate that imbalance."
Furthermore, President Lee stated, "The three major mega-projects for South Korea's great leap forward, announced yesterday, are the key to overcoming the Seoul-centric system that breeds discrimination, exclusion, and imbalance, while simultaneously opening an era of 'growth for all' where the entire country can enjoy equal growth opportunities," adding, "I once again thank the business leaders who made bold decisions for the greater leap of the Republic of Korea."
He further ordered, "Our government will actively support your decision to choose the future of your homeland rather than overseas, ensuring it does not prove to be the wrong choice," and added, "I ask each ministry to provide proactive and full-scale support, based on close cooperation with local governments, so that there are no difficulties in the investment activities of the companies that have made these major decisions."
He also requested the political sphere, "Please join forces with the companies that have staked their lives on challenges for the future of the Republic of Korea, and with the government's efforts. I ask for your grand cooperation."
Meanwhile, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who attended the Cabinet meeting, emphasized, "If June 29, 40 years ago, was the day we achieved democracy through the power of the people, then yesterday, June 29, was the day we made a historic declaration to establish the Republic of Korea as a super-gap powerhouse."
Minister Chung added, "What was impressive was the President's 90-degree deep bow. It was a deep bow to the corporate representatives, as well as a deep bow to the citizens who have worked hard."
In response, President Lee smiled and replied, "I also hear that as a suggestion to pay more attention to the Jeonbuk region. Regions that feel left out by yesterday's policy announcement may feel disappointed, but we plan to supplement this through additional measures."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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