President Lee Jae-myung stressed Monday that South Korea must secure overwhelming supply capacity through large-scale new investment in regions including the southwest, in line with explosively growing demand for semiconductors. "Investment plans for the Yeongnam, Gangwon, and Chungcheong regions will also be announced, but if I were to single out one region, the Honam area has, in being left out of development for a long time, actually become a factor of opportunity," Lee said. The remark amounted to a dismissal of arguments by some that the region was receiving special treatment, while explaining the justification for the investment.
Lee made the comments at the "National Briefing on Korea's Three Mega Projects for a Great Leap Forward" held at the Blue House that day. "I will make this year, the second year of my administration, a year in which the dream of an irreplaceable Korea that no other country in the world can substitute begins," he said. "The most crucial task for this is a great leap forward into an industrial powerhouse with an unbridgeable lead," Lee added, raising his voice. "We must secure overwhelming competitiveness in advanced technology fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure that the fruits of growth achieved through this spread evenly to all citizens nationwide and are felt by every citizen."
Lee emphasized that "only a speed battle is the way to survive." "We must secure the core elements of artificial intelligence faster than any other country," he said. "Semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers are the three pillars for a great leap forward." He repeatedly stressed, "We must bind these together as one and concentrate all government and private-sector capabilities on building a Korean-style artificial intelligence ecosystem at speed."
Lee then said, "There is one thing I particularly want to emphasize." "It is the strategic approach to and utilization of regions," he said. "We have taken what is called an all-in strategy, but as inefficiency deepened, the capital region is on the verge of explosion while provincial areas are on the verge of extinction." He continued, "I cannot help but think of the Honam region," adding, "Investment plans for the Yeongnam, Gangwon, and Chungcheong regions will also be announced, but if I were to single out one region, the Honam area has, in being left out of development for a long time, actually become a factor of opportunity." The remark amounted to a dismissal of arguments by some that the region was receiving special treatment, while explaining the justification for the investment. "The southwest coast is precisely the area abundant in water resources and, in particular, rich in renewable energy," Lee said. "This is exactly why companies chose the region as a hub for the three mega projects."
Lee also said, "What the government must do is not to push through national needs by forcing losses and risks onto companies, as some fear, but to mobilize government capabilities on a massive scale so that companies can invest without incurring losses and with a better outlook."
Finally, Lee said, "Our government will not shy away from any innovation needed, from newly overhauling policies and laws to designing this groundbreaking change." He added, "If I may make one special promise, I will place an official directly in charge of this project within the Blue House, and I will personally oversee these three mega projects and ensure they are executed swiftly."
