Honam Semiconductor Hub to Be Located at Gwangju Military Airport Site; 'Speed War' Emphasized

[Anchor]

The government has decided to establish a semiconductor cluster for the Honam region on the site of the Gwangju Military Airport. This marks the first site selection and announcement just one week after the unveiling of the 'three mega projects,' and President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a 'speed war' during a public-private joint meeting.

Reporter Kang Min-u reports.

[Reporter]

The Office of the President announced today (July 6) that the Honam semiconductor hub will be built on the Gwangju Military Airport site.

[Kang Hoon-sik / Chief of Staff to the President: It is possible to secure a site of approximately 2.5 million pyeong (about 8.26 square kilometers), and because the land is already leveled due to the nature of the airport, it has the advantage of minimizing the construction period.]

The reasons for the selection include its proximity to the Gwangju city center and the KTX station, which is advantageous for securing talent and establishing living conditions, as well as the fact that it is state-owned land, making land acquisition easier.

This is the first site to be decided just one week after the 'three mega projects' were announced on June 29.

President Lee Jae-myung ordered a 'speed war' during a public-private joint inspection meeting held this morning before the site announcement.

[President Lee Jae-myung: We are in a total competition that will determine the fate of the nation, and it seems the outcome will be decided by who can secure the lead faster, and who is faster. Truly, only a speed war is important.]

Emphasizing the preemptive securing of power and water, President Lee requested swift administration. Appearing to refute criticism from the conservative opposition regarding the project's feasibility, he also stated, "If you cannot cooperate, at least do not obstruct."

[President Lee Jae-myung: They argue for balance (in investment scale), then claim it is a deception or an event based on the premise that it is impossible. Is it appropriate for public officials in charge of the nation's affairs to take such an attitude? Please do just one thing.]

In response, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, retorted by asking if President Lee, when he was the leader of the Democratic Party, did not call the 'Daewang Gorae' project of the Un Suk-yeol administration a "matter that will fail nine times out of ten," and is he now saying that no one should even criticize the 'mega projects'?

President Lee plans to hold such public-private joint inspection meetings every month to personally oversee the progress of the project.

(Video reporting: Jung Sang-bo, Ha Ryung | Video editing: Lee Seung-hee | Graphics: Jang Chae-woo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.