DPK: PPP's Criticism of 'Honam Investment' Is Malicious Slander and '21st-Century Treason'

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) hit back today (June 29) against the People Power Party's (PPP) offensive regarding President Lee Jae-myung's upcoming announcement of large-scale investment plans, including those for the Honam region, stating, "The Democratic Party will respond to this malicious slander without leniency through legal action."

Han Byung-do, acting leader of the DPK, denounced the PPP at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, saying, "Even before the project was announced, the People Power Party has been raising outdated regionalism to obstruct it."

Referring to remarks by PPP lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who suggested that the "presidential office dragged them by the collar," acting leader Han criticized the move, saying, "They are spreading absurd fake news. Are they in their right minds? It is truly deplorable." He added, "The People Power Party's claims are a result of ignorance, failing to understand the survival strategies of global companies, and are a malicious attempt to hinder national growth."

Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-seon also argued at the meeting, "They must stop this 21st-century act of treason, which uses a major issue—on which the competitiveness of a global company representing South Korea and the future of the national economy depend—as a tool for political maneuvering." He added, "Companies do not invest hundreds of trillions of won for political reasons, nor do they make management decisions based on votes."

Chief Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun met with reporters after the meeting and criticized the situation, stating, "Just as the national (soccer) team, considered the best in history, was helplessly eliminated (from the World Cup), demands are emerging from political circles that are highly likely to waste time and money, and even cause us to fall behind, rather than enhancing the competitiveness of our semiconductor industry, which maintains a global super-gap."

He added, "I would like to say one thing to those who prioritize regional selfishness or personal political gains," and continued, "Should the tail be wagging the dog in such a critical task, which is intertwined with the prosperity and growth of the semiconductor industry—the 'Three Mega Projects for South Korea's Great Leap'—and balanced national development, known as the '5-Pole, 3-Special' strategy? I urge you to prioritize future competitiveness."

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