The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the People Power Party (PPP) today for expressing concerns over the expected large-scale semiconductor facility investments by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in the Honam region, accusing the opposition party of "driving national industrial strategy into the realm of regionalism."

Senior Deputy Spokesperson Lim Se-eun stated in a commentary today, "Obstructing investments that are vital to the nation's future without providing any reasonable alternatives is a typical example of political maneuvering," and added, "They must immediately stop hindering the national interest with outdated 'big deal' frames."

Lim emphasized, "They claim there is no rational basis by asking 'why Honam,' but this is a one-sided perspective that only sees what it wants to see," adding, "This is not a political project suddenly created by a specific administration, but a national strategy based on regions where experts have already recognized competitiveness."

She further added, "Semiconductor investments involving hundreds of trillions of won are not structured in the past way, where they are pushed according to the whims of political power," and noted, "They are interpreting the logic of a market economy, where companies carefully calculate business feasibility, within the old frame of 'violent coercion by state power.'"

Regarding the criticism from former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min of the People Power Party, who claimed that the project is proceeding in a "closed-door, 'Honam-only' manner," she said, "It goes beyond disappointment and raises concerns," and added, "I cannot help but ask if he has applied the same strict standards to the fairness allegations surrounding himself and his family."

Lawmaker Moon Jin-seok wrote on his social media, "This is a task of restructuring our entire industry," and added, "If you care about the country and the people, please stop being obstructionist. They say that in the eyes of a pig, only pigs are visible, but not everything one says is a valid argument."

Lawmaker Kim Byung-joo claimed on social media that "the Honam semiconductor cluster is a 'great transition for balanced development' for the survival of the Republic of Korea," and asserted, "Any attempt to damage this historic achievement through political strife will face public resistance." Lawmaker Kim Jun-hyuk also posted on social media, "Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are top-class companies globally. Would they have announced the selection of an industrial complex in a region without water, without prior investigation, just because of government threats?" and described the People Power Party's criticism as "truly substandard."

Lawmaker Baek Seung-ah also asked on her social media, "During the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's open call for semiconductor specialized complexes, Jeonnam and Gwangju were evaluated at the highest level, yet now they call investment in Honam a result of political pressure," and added, "Is Honam a 'forbidden land' where future industries cannot be established?"

(Photo: Yonhap News)