Prime Minister Kim Min-seok pushed back Monday against opposition criticism of semiconductor investment in the Honam region, saying, "Please do not hold back the future with political calculations."
In a post on his X account that day, Kim said, "Now the government and the private sector must unite as one to consolidate our capabilities, fight through fierce global competition, secure Korea's economic and industrial standing, and build national competitiveness."
Kim stressed that "this regional investment is a decision companies made after comprehensively considering various conditions in the area, including power, water, infrastructure, and inexpensive land."
He went on to say, "It is rather those criticizing who are dragging politics into a market decision," and asked, "By the logic of those criticizing this decision, shouldn't the fact that opportunities have piled up only in the capital region until now be called favoritism?"
He added, "The government will respect companies' investment intentions, while responsibly ensuring there are no constraints on institutional foundations such as a regional differential electricity rate system, as well as core infrastructure including power and water." He emphasized, "We will cooperate closely with local governments so that on-site difficulties such as permits and licensing can be swiftly resolved, and we will consolidate the capabilities of central ministries to provide all-out support so that corporate investment quickly leads to actual groundbreaking and operation, quality jobs, and vitality for the regional economy."
