[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 confirmation just one week after the announcement of the three major mega-projects, and President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of a "speed war" during a public-private joint meeting.

Reporter Kang Min-u has the story.

[Reporter]

The Presidential Office announced today (July 6) that the Honam region semiconductor base 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 site is already leveled due to its nature as an 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 major mega-projects" were announced on June 29.

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

[President Lee Jae-myung: A total war is unfolding on which the nation's fate depends, and it seems the outcome will be decided by who can secure the lead faster, and who is faster. It is truly all about the speed war.]

President Lee emphasized the preemptive securing of electricity and water and 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 interfere."

[President Lee Jae-myung: They argue for balance (in investment scale), and 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 the President is saying that while he called the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's "King Crab" project a "matter that will fail nine times out of ten" when he was the leader of the Democratic Party, no one is allowed to criticize the "mega-projects" now.

President Lee plans to hold the same public-private joint inspection meeting every month to personally oversee the progress of the projects.

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