President Lee Announces Start of Korean AI Industrial Revolution in Southwest Region

President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 30 that the investment in advanced industries in the southwest region is viewed as a historical and national compensation for Honam, which has contributed to the establishment and preservation of democracy in South Korea.

During his speech at the 'National Report Meeting on the Advanced Industry Development Vision for the Southwest Region' held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju, President Lee remarked, "Discrimination against Honam has created new opportunities."

He reiterated that the southwest region will serve as the first testbed for the national restructuring of advanced industries, focusing on semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers.

This event followed the government's announcement of the 'Three Mega Projects for South Korea's Great Leap Forward' the day before. Approximately 200 participants attended, including Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun of Samsung Electronics, CEO Kwak No-jung of SK Hynix, and CEO Lee Jin-an of Amkor Technology, along with representatives from advanced industry companies in the southwest region, local chambers of commerce, universities, research institutions, and support organizations.

President Lee specifically referenced the phrase 'If there is no Honam, there is no country,' attributed to General Yi Sun-sin during the Imjin War, emphasizing, "We will start the Korean-style AI industrial revolution right here in the southwest region, led by the local community."

He added, "Just as Pohang and Gwangyang wrote the great industrial myth of South Korea as 'two ports,' the semiconductor industry must also thrive in both the capital region and local areas to compete in the global market."

He continued, "In this turbulent era, the key to national competitiveness and survival lies in who can supply advanced semiconductors more abundantly and reliably. The existing single production system centered on the capital region is insufficient for South Korea to compete globally."

President Lee emphasized that the large-scale investments by SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Amkor are a unique response to this global trend and reflect South Korea's determination to secure a competitive edge in the global market.

Looking ahead, President Lee will preside over the National Report Meeting on Advanced Industry Development Vision for the Chungcheong region in Asan on July 2 and for the Yeongnam region in Jinju on July 3. The Yeongnam meeting will include participation from companies such as Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor, and Hanwha, while the Chungcheong meeting will feature Samsung, SK Hynix, and Celltrion.