[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung held a public-private joint meeting today (July 6), one week after announcing the 'three major mega projects,' which include the creation of a large-scale semiconductor cluster. He emphasized that this project is not just an event, but a turning point for balanced national development, and ordered a focus on speed.

Reporter Kang Min-u has the story.

[Reporter]

Cabinet members, presidential aides, and the CEOs of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix gathered in one place to review the 'three major mega projects' plan announced last week.

Presiding over the public-private joint meeting, President Lee Jae-myung repeatedly emphasized the importance of speed.

[President Lee Jae-myung: We are in a total competition that will determine the nation's fate. It seems the outcome will be decided by who can secure the lead faster, and who is faster. In short, speed is everything.]

He instructed that investment execution must not be delayed by administrative procedures, ordering that land acquisition be expedited by conducting negotiated purchases and compulsory expropriation procedures simultaneously.

President Lee also promised financial support, such as utilizing excess tax revenue from the semiconductor sector, while asking companies to make concrete demands and ordering the government to present clear support plans and schedules.

[President Lee Jae-myung: I would like you to avoid abstract talk or trying to save face. Please be direct. Tell us, 'What is needed, how, and how much.']

He also urged local governments to do their best to create living conditions, including education and culture, as well as power and water infrastructure.

Regarding criticism from the conservative opposition party questioning the feasibility of the project, President Lee retorted that they should at least not hinder the process if they cannot cooperate.

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

The presidential office plans to form a dedicated team for the mega projects and hold monthly public-private joint meetings to accelerate the pace of implementation.

(Video coverage: Jung Sang-bo, Ha Ryung | Video editing: Lee Seung-hee)