President Lee Jae-myung announced government plans to support the establishment of advanced memory production facilities, cutting-edge packaging facilities, and AI (artificial intelligence) data centers in the Honam region, stating, "We will begin a 'Korean-style AI industrial revolution' in the southwest region, led by the local community and expanding to the entire world."

In a written congratulatory speech for the National Report Meeting on the Development Vision for Advanced Industries in the Southwest Region today (June 30), President Lee remarked, "Discrimination against the Honam region has created new opportunities," and quoted Admiral Yi Sun-sin, saying, "Without Honam, there is no nation."

President Lee wrote in his speech, "We will begin a 'Korean-style AI industrial revolution' right here in the southwest region, led by the local community and expanding to the entire world."

He emphasized, "Looking back, the southwest region was already a prepared land," adding, "It is a region with abundant renewable energy resources, including the nation's largest and best solar and offshore wind power facilities."

He further added, "Its locational competitiveness is also excellent. It can quickly and flexibly secure large-scale industrial land adjacent to major urban centers, and it is rapidly connected to anywhere in the country and abroad via KTX stations and Muan International Airport."

President Lee noted that the foundation for cultivating world-class AI and semiconductor talent is taking root in the southwest region, mentioning the National AI Computing Center and professional talent training programs by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and global semiconductor design firm Arm.

He continued, "If large-scale investments from SK, Samsung, and Amkor are added to the southwest region, which holds such infinite potential, it will stand tall as a strategic hub for South Korea's advanced industries in every sense."

President Lee promised to resolve investment regulations at the government level and provide bold financial and tax support.

President Lee pledged, "We will build an 'advanced industry talent training system' where local universities, investing companies, and research institutions work together, and we will comprehensively support not only jobs but also housing, education, healthcare, and culture so that our young people can nurture and realize their dreams in the region."

He also promised, "I will personally serve as the chairman to make the committee a powerful control tower for investment in the southwest region," adding, "I will have a dedicated team at the Presidential Office to support the entire process responsibly so that there is not even a one-month delay in projects after plans are announced."

Today's event was held as a follow-up to the 'National Report Meeting on the Three Mega-Projects for South Korea's Great Leap Forward' held yesterday (June 29).

A total of approximately 200 people attended, including relevant cabinet ministers, Min Hyung-bae, the mayor-elect of the Jeonnam-Gwangju integration, relevant officials, representatives of local companies, and officials from universities, research institutions, and support organizations.

Jeon Young-hyun, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics; Kwak Noh-jung, CEO of SK Hynix; and Lee Jin-an, CEO of Amkor Technology Korea, personally announced investment plans for the southwest region, while Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok announced government support measures.

Combining the announcements from the government and companies, a total of 896 trillion won in investment is planned for the Honam region, including 800 trillion won for four semiconductor fabs, 1 trillion won for advanced packaging, 87 trillion won for AIDC (AI data centers), and 8 trillion won for other smart appliances and energy sectors.

(Photo: Yonhap News)