Ahead of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix's announcement of large-scale investment plans in the Honam region on Saturday, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea representing the capital region moved to reassure their constituencies. With concerns mounting inside and outside the party that the capital region could face reverse discrimination as a Honam semiconductor cluster is pursued, the lawmakers stepped in directly to address the worries.
Rep. Lee Eon-ju, whose constituency is Yongin in Gyeonggi Province, stressed Friday that "the Honam semiconductor cluster is separate from the Yongin semiconductor cluster and prepares for additional demand." On Facebook, she wrote, "With semiconductor demand continuing to grow amid the race for artificial intelligence (AI) technology supremacy, there is no reason to oppose preparing a second cluster in another region." She added, "The Yongin semiconductor cluster must be pursued even more swiftly and without wavering."
As the Lee Jae-myung administration pursues building a semiconductor cluster in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province under its "5 Poles, 3 Special Zones" national balanced development strategy, concerns over reduced investment in the capital region have spread. Rep. Lee, who represents Yongin, is seen as having stepped in personally to offer clarification.
Rep. Kim Nam-hee, whose constituency is Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province, also wrote on Facebook the same day that she had received protests asking whether she "agrees with regional balanced development." She explained, "A district lawmaker must not simply worry about their own district, but consider together the issues of the entire Republic of Korea and balanced development." She added, "I am also working hard to resolve the long-standing wishes and transportation challenges related to the Kia plant in Gwangmyeong."
She continued, "I believe the will of Gwangmyeong residents is also for me to take good care of Gwangmyeong's affairs and resolve the Republic of Korea's difficult challenges well, building a Korea where everyone prospers together." Rep. Park Jeong of Paju in Gyeonggi Province also responded to Kim's post with a comment saying, "You are doing well."
With Samsung Electronics and SK hynix reported to be set to announce investment plans exceeding 1,000 trillion won in the Honam semiconductor cluster, not only have People Power Party lawmakers from the Yeongnam region collectively pushed back, but reverse discrimination concerns have also emerged within the Democratic Party. One Democratic Party lawmaker said, "Of course it would be best if my own district received large-scale investment, but as the ruling party, don't we have no choice but to support the region benefiting this time?"
