President Lee Jae-myung: "Chungcheong to Become Global AI Innovation Hub; Lee Jae-yong's Decision Leads the Leap Forward"

President Lee Jae-myung stated today (July 2), "The Chungcheong region possesses infinite growth potential," adding, "When combined with strategic corporate investments and the government's firm commitment, Chungcheong will stand tall as a global hub of innovation that leads the AI era, going beyond being the center of South Korea's advanced industries."

President Lee made these remarks at the National Report on the Development Vision of Advanced Industries in the Chungcheong Region, held in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, after listening to investment plans for the region from companies including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Celltrion.

"The four major advanced industries—semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, and bio—are core strategic industries that will determine the future of South Korea in the age of artificial intelligence, and the Chungcheong region is where these four industries form a single ecosystem," President Lee explained.

He continued, "Chungcheong embodies the dreams and hopes for balanced national development. The desperate journey of great transformation to break the vicious cycle of overpopulation in the capital region and regional extinction, and to reopen the growth engine for all of South Korea, began here in Chungcheong."

He promised, "We will never miss this critical opportunity to align the hubs of balanced development with the hubs of advanced industry. The government will mobilize all available means to actively support these companies so that their decisions can shine."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "Through Chungcheong, we will turn into reality a great transformation toward region-led growth, where each of the five mega-regions and three special zones builds its own industrial ecosystem and develops through competition."

The President also extended his encouragement to the companies.

"Samsung, SK Hynix, and Celltrion have announced large-scale investment plans for fostering advanced industries in the Chungcheong region. On behalf of the people, I express my gratitude for your bold decisions," President Lee said.

In particular, he emphasized, "Listening to Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong earlier, I was reminded of the historic moment in 1983 when the late Chairman Lee Byung-chul announced the entry into the semiconductor industry in Tokyo. Just as that foresight made South Korea a semiconductor powerhouse, I am confident that Chairman Lee Jae-yong's decision will lead a new leap forward for South Korea's advanced industries."

He also predicted, "With the new large-scale investments by companies, and especially through the production of HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) resulting from Samsung's decision, Chungcheong's status as a center for advanced industries will be further strengthened."

"There are entrepreneurs like Celltrion Chairman Seo Jung-jin who have tirelessly pioneered new paths in advanced industries," he said. "The investment plans announced today are not merely about expanding production facilities into the Chungcheong region; they are a promise of trust to move toward a better future by completely changing the growth paradigm, and a bold declaration toward South Korea's potential."

President Lee added, "Entrepreneurs who turn crises into opportunities through constant challenges, universities and research institutions that serve as a solid foundation for future talent and core technologies, and local governments responsible for innovation infrastructure and living conditions will work as 'one team' to redraw South Korea's growth map. Through your dedication and efforts, we will achieve a great leap forward for an irreplaceable South Korea and a powerhouse of super-gap industries."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.