Deputy PM Koo Yoon-cheol: 'Regional Investment Is Key to Semiconductor Supremacy, Government Will Provide Full Support'

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol stated on June 28, ahead of the announcement of semiconductor facility investments in the Honam region by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, that "the key to maintaining a super-gap is in the regions, and the government will provide full-scale support."

Deputy PM Koo posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today titled, "We respect the companies' decisions to invest in regional areas, and the government will provide all-out support for these efforts."

He pointed out, "We are in an era of global hegemony competition in high-tech industries where survival is at stake, and it is necessary to mobilize all national capabilities, including human resources, resources, and land, to secure a super-gap."

He continued, "Above all, the core task is to move away from the over-concentrated capital region-centric system and unleash the potential of the regions," emphasizing that "ultimately, the battleground for the super-gap is in the regions."

He also noted, "To lead the future global semiconductor ecosystem amid the semiconductor super-cycle, we must go beyond just 'rowing when the tide comes in' and build larger ships in various locations."

He added, "Respecting the companies' judgment, we will accelerate the creation of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster as much as possible," and stated, "We must push forward with full force, including expanding future semiconductor production hubs to regions where local energy production and consumption are possible."

Deputy PM Koo explained that if companies had not made these bold, large-scale regional investment decisions based on active government support for site selection, power, and water supply, they would have inevitably been forced to turn their attention overseas.

He promised, "We will activate an all-government support system to provide full-scale assistance so that these regional investments, which have finally opened a path, can quickly yield results."

Deputy PM Koo announced, "We need to secure a super-gap not only in semiconductors but also in various high-tech fields such as physical AI, AI data centers, and green energy," adding, "We will soon announce the '5-Pole, 3-Special Growth Engine' plan to maximize the characteristics and capabilities of each region and achieve a grand transformation of our national territory."

He expressed his determination, saying, "By working together—the government, businesses, and the people—we will surely build an 'unrivaled Republic of Korea' and an 'irreplaceable Republic of Korea'."


Previously, President Lee Jae-myung posted six messages on X yesterday alone to refute criticism from the opposition party regarding the semiconductor facility investment in the Honam region.

Again today, he stated, "Creating a semiconductor industry ecosystem in Honam is not a special favor for a specific region," adding, "While we should engage in intense debate regarding the Honam location for semiconductors, I ask that you cooperate if there is a rational basis and refrain from dividing regions or inciting regional conflict for political purposes."

(Photo: X capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.