In response to political attacks from opposition parties, he urged them not to obstruct the initiatives even if they cannot offer support.
During the joint public-private meeting at the Blue House, President Lee stated, "In the field of advanced industries, a total national effort is underway, and the outcome will depend on who moves faster." He stressed that the government must proactively address any anticipated obstacles to allow businesses to focus on investment and operations.
He added, "Delays in administrative procedures that slow down investment or execution must not occur. For instance, in the case of the Yongin industrial complex, it took six years from site confirmation to groundbreaking, which is still considered fast."
President Lee pointed out that delays in compensation could extend timelines, urging that such issues be avoided. He highlighted the importance of utilizing existing environmental impact assessments rather than conducting new ones unless absolutely necessary, and if new assessments are required, they should be expedited.
Specifically, he noted that if there are issues with land acquisition, negotiations should begin simultaneously with compulsory acquisition procedures. He also advised that utilities such as electricity and water should be secured proactively rather than waiting for other issues to be resolved.
President Lee emphasized the critical role of local governments in the permitting process, expressing gratitude to the Gwangju City Council for establishing a semiconductor investment ordinance as its first piece of legislation.
He actively countered criticism of the mega projects, stating, "Some argue about the feasibility of the projects by asking, 'Why was our region excluded?' while others claim it is a scam or an impossible event. I find it perplexing that public officials responsible for managing the nation's finances adopt such attitudes."
He continued, "It would be better if critics either assume the projects are impossible or point out imbalances based on the assumption that they are feasible. I hope they will not significantly hinder efforts to create new opportunities for struggling youth, even if they cannot fully cooperate."
President Lee described the initiative as a historic turning point for balanced national development, noting that there is currently a surplus in tax revenue from the semiconductor industry, which will support financial assistance for the projects.
He concluded by stating, "Today, we will organize the implementation system and discuss site selection to reach a decision. I urge representatives from companies to refrain from vague discussions and instead provide specific needs."
He reiterated, "Historical tasks must be approached clearly and precisely to gain momentum."
On June 29 and 30, as well as July 2 and 3, President Lee unveiled the three mega projects aimed at supporting the development of advanced industries in the southwestern, central, and southeastern regions of the country. Samsung and SK Group announced plans to invest a total of 475.5 trillion won in semiconductor fabs and AI data centers in non-capital regions, including Gwangju and the southwestern area.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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