As plans emerge for a large semiconductor cluster by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, strong backlash is mounting from the political and civic sectors in Jeonbuk.
In Jeonbuk, there are growing calls for a distributed allocation within the Honam region, including Saemangeum, alongside increasing criticism directed at the ruling Democratic Party.
According to Yonhap News on June 25, Samsung and SK Hynix are reportedly considering establishing memory semiconductor front-end and packaging back-end factories in a semiconductor cluster to be developed in Gwangju-Jeonnam and the Chungcheong region. Estimates suggest the investment could reach between 300 trillion and 400 trillion won. The two companies are expected to announce their large-scale regional investment plans at a public-private joint meeting at the Blue House at the end of this month.
Following this news, dissatisfaction is growing in Jeonbuk, with many expressing that "Jeonbuk has been excluded even within the Honam region." Criticism is also being leveled at the nine Jeonbuk lawmakers, all from the ruling Democratic Party, for failing to secure a distributed allocation within Honam.
The Jeonbuk chapter of the Progressive Party issued a statement, criticizing the Democratic Party for being preoccupied with internal power struggles at a critical time for Jeonbuk's survival and future. They stated, "All candidates for party leadership and the Democratic Party's Jeonbuk chapter, along with local lawmakers, remain silent on the crisis of Jeonbuk's exclusion from the semiconductor cluster. They must stop the power struggle and take full political responsibility for attracting the semiconductor cluster."
The Jeonbuk governor's transition committee also called on the government to demand a distributed allocation within the Honam region. The committee stated, "While the government has announced plans for large-scale semiconductor investments in Honam, Jeonbuk has been thoroughly excluded. The president had acknowledged and promised support for Jeonbuk's 'triple exclusion,' leading to significant disappointment among residents."
They added, "Saemangeum is a prepared area with essential infrastructure such as land, power, and water for the semiconductor industry. We request that semiconductor factories be distributed to Saemangeum so that young people can work without leaving their hometowns."
The Jeonbuk Regional Development Movement Headquarters also urged the government to consider the distributed allocation of the semiconductor cluster between Saemangeum and Gwangju-Jeonnam as a policy task. The organization argued, "Concentrated investment in one area contradicts the national balanced development policy and the global trend of distributed allocation for supply chain stability. Excluding Saemangeum, which has optimal conditions, undermines the value of balanced development."
In Jeonbuk, there are assessments that this semiconductor investment plan will serve as a test case for future national balanced development policies. Both the political sector and civic society are emphasizing that Saemangeum is the optimal location for the semiconductor industry and are demanding that the final investment decision by the government and companies reflect a distributed allocation within the Honam region.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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