Citizens of Gwangju are urging for the establishment of regional coexistence development measures related to the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex.
On September 3, the Yongin Semiconductor Gwangju Coexistence Development Coalition held its launch ceremony at Gwangju City Hall, where they announced their founding statement and joint resolution.
The coalition stated, "We will cooperate with national projects for the success of South Korea's semiconductor industry," but firmly opposed any initiatives that would lead to unilateral sacrifices by Gwangju.
They highlighted that approximately 27 kilometers of the total 46.9-kilometer water supply pipeline for the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex is expected to pass through Gwangju, potentially impacting transportation, the environment, and residents' quality of life.
In response, the coalition asserted that "practical coexistence measures are necessary to address the traffic, environmental, and quality of life damages that may arise during construction, as well as the various regulations that Gwangju has endured, such as the water source protection area."
They called on the government to officially recognize Gwangju as a coexistence cooperation area for the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex and to develop it as a supporting city for the semiconductor industry in the metropolitan area.
Additionally, they demanded the establishment of an industrial complex for semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, expansion of transportation networks including regional railways and roads, improvement of overlapping regulations in water source protection areas, and enhancement of infrastructure for industry, research, education, and housing.
The coalition also proposed the creation of a semiconductor coexistence belt connecting Pangyo, Gwangju, Yongin, and Icheon, along with the establishment of a permanent cooperation body involving the government, Gyeonggi Province, Gwangju City, and Yongin City.
The coalition emphasized, "We are not opposing the success of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, but rather demanding practical coexistence development measures that correspond to the burdens placed on Gwangju by national projects."
They added, "As the water supply pipeline passes through Gwangju, industry, jobs, transportation infrastructure, and investment must also progress alongside Gwangju. The government must respond to the region's legitimate demands with responsible coexistence measures."
Meanwhile, the coalition plans to raise awareness of their demands through a citizen signature campaign and will continue to urge the government, the National Assembly, and relevant agencies in Gyeonggi Province for the establishment of coexistence development measures.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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