Regarding the three major mega projects, including the establishment of the Honam region semiconductor cluster, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "We are in a situation where we must fight beyond a speed war to wage a blitzkrieg," ordering the swift securing of sites and infrastructure, as well as the enactment and revision of related laws.

President Lee made the remarks during the 2nd Public-Private Joint Inspection Meeting on Mega Projects presided over at the Blue House starting at 2:00 PM today (August 10), saying, "In the case of the Honam semiconductor cluster, I hope it can be executed as rapidly as Kumamoto, Japan."

At the first meeting held on the 6th of last month, President Lee emphasized a "speed war," stating that "an all-out competition upon which the nation's fate rests is underway," which is interpreted as emphasizing his determination to accelerate efforts further.

TSMC's semiconductor fab (Plant 1) in Kumamoto, Japan, was completed in virtually two years, and the "package support" from the central and local governments—including permits, sites, roads, water supply, and subsidies—is cited as the secret to its success.

Regarding the Gwangju military airport site designated as the semiconductor cluster location, President Lee requested, "I hope the Ministry of National Defense will take measures to temporarily relocate Gwangju base functions to another military airport by mid-2028 so that the Gwangju military airport site can be utilized early as a semiconductor industrial complex."

He added, "I ask that you do your utmost so that the industrial complex can break ground early on the site near the military airport even before the temporary relocation."

He continued, "Power and water supply plans must also be prepared without a hitch," adding that they must accelerate the enactment and revision of related laws through communication with the National Assembly.

President Lee emphasized, "It is always hardest when pedaling for the first time," adding, "I ask that you consider the coming year as the golden time and give it your all."

He repeatedly requested, "We are at the threshold of the Republic of Korea's golden age. Depending on how we prepare, an entirely different world will open up," adding, "I hope you will take responsibility and do your absolute best."

In addition, President Lee instructed, "We also need to preemptively come up with measures to prevent a 'K-shaped growth' and polarization of growth during the promotion of mega projects," ordering, "Each ministry must take good care in advance to ensure that achievements generated by the influence of the entire community are not concentrated only on specific companies or regions."

Today's meeting was attended in large part by cabinet ministers including Prime Minister Han Sung-sook, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol, and Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon, along with senior presidential secretaries including Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-shik, Chief of Policy Kim Yong-beom, and National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac.

From the business sector, Samsung Electronics President Kim Yong-kwan and SK Inc. Future Growth President Jung Seung-il attended.

(Photo: Yonhap News)