The South Korean government is facing a heated debate over its "Three Major Mega Projects." The People Power Party criticized the initiative as a politically motivated endeavor aimed at managing approval ratings and the upcoming Democratic Party convention, while the Democratic Party defended it as a national strategy for balanced regional development.
On July 4, People Power Party spokesperson Park Seong-hoon stated in a commentary that President Lee Jae-myung's claim that the projects were not politically motivated was "a blatant excuse and an attempt to cover up the truth." He argued that if the announcement had been made before the local elections, it would have sparked significant backlash and controversy, potentially harming the election outcomes. He suggested that the timing of the announcement, immediately after the elections, was deliberate.
Park further asserted that the Three Major Mega Projects were merely a ploy to attract votes from the Honam region ahead of the Democratic Party's convention, warning that reducing the future economic prospects of South Korea to a tool for political gain would ultimately harm the citizens and businesses.
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, also criticized the government on Facebook, stating that President Lee was aware of how the concentrated investment plans for Honam would be perceived by other regions. He emphasized that the semiconductor industry should be developed based on corporate needs rather than being dictated by the Democratic Party's convention schedule.
In contrast, the Democratic Party emphasized that the Three Major Mega Projects represent a turning point for national balanced development. Floor spokesperson Lee Joo-hee stated in a written briefing that the blueprint for the projects, centered on semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI), and AI data centers, has been completed. She noted that this initiative marks a shift from a Seoul-centric economy to a new industrial map led by local regions.
Lee described the Three Major Mega Projects as a significant transformation that aims to turn the entire country into a Korean version of Silicon Valley, providing a foundation for young people to plan their futures in their hometowns. She added, "Now it's time for the National Assembly to respond," asserting that the Democratic Party would support the path to an "irreplaceable South Korea" with swift legislation and robust budgeting.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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