PPP's Lee Jung-hyun Backs Honam Chip Plan: "I'd Hang a Banner"

Lee Jung-hyun, former People Power Party (PPP) candidate for the integrated South Jeolla-Gwangju Special City mayor, welcomed the planned semiconductor facility investments by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in the Honam region, saying it was "such welcome news that I want to hang up a banner." His was one of the few voices of support within the party, as the PPP has pushed back against the plan as "regional discrimination."

In an interview Saturday with YTN Radio's "Jang Sung-chul's News Myeongdang," Lee said it was "the greatest and largest opportunity for a leap forward or development for Honam since the founding of the nation." A native of Gokseong, South Jeolla, Lee served as a district lawmaker representing Suncheon, South Jeolla, a stronghold of the Democratic Party of Korea, as a member of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the PPP. In the June 3 local elections, he ran as the PPP candidate for South Jeolla-Gwangju mayor but was defeated.

Regarding the largely opposing stance within the PPP, Lee said, "I am someone who has run in elections since 1995, advocating for Honam's development for 31 years." He added, "What our region absolutely needed was for companies to come. I am confident I can persuade the party."

However, he also expressed caution, saying, "From my standpoint it is an enormous welcome, but we must thoroughly verify whether it can actually be realized." He added, "Welcome and verification must be carried out at the same time." Lee said, "Water, electricity, skilled personnel, land, transportation, as well as partner companies and research institutes are all genuinely lacking," describing the situation as "bare ground" from a company's perspective.

Lee said, "But Ulsan, Changwon, Gumi, and the metropolitan areas were all empty fields too." He added, "These are all things that can be attempted. Saying it cannot be done because such things are lacking is something to think about a little more."

He also pointed to the responsibility of the presidential office and the government for the matter expanding into a political dispute between the ruling and opposition parties. Lee said, "I think the cause was provided by the president and the presidential office. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy provided it too." He pointed out, "The investment entities are Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The market gains trust when the investors make the announcement, so why are the investors sitting still while (the presidential office and the government) are running around over there? Why is the president making a company's announcement?"