President Lee Jae-myung directed on August 10 that the functions of the Gwangju military airport be temporarily relocated to another military airport by mid-2028, and that the existing air force base be utilized early for the Honam semiconductor cluster.
Before the military airport functions are moved, construction of an industrial complex in the nearby area should begin to ensure that land issues do not delay semiconductor investments, he emphasized.
During the opening remarks at the second joint public-private review meeting on the mega project held at the Blue House, President Lee stated, "In the last meeting, we decided to designate the Gwangju air force base site for the semiconductor cluster."
He added, "The Ministry of National Defense should take measures to temporarily relocate the functions to another military airport by mid-2028 so that the Gwangju air force base can be utilized early for the semiconductor industrial complex."
This plan aims to expedite the establishment of the semiconductor cluster by temporarily relocating military functions rather than waiting for the permanent relocation of the military airport. However, President Lee did not specify which airport would receive the temporary military functions or the details of the permanent relocation.
He also instructed that preparations for the industrial complex construction and the temporary relocation of military functions be pursued simultaneously. "Even before the temporary relocation, I hope that efforts will be made to ensure that the industrial complex can begin construction early in the vicinity of the military airport," he urged.
This approach is interpreted as an effort to advance the timeline for the semiconductor factory's construction by pursuing possible procedures concurrently, rather than sequentially. A government-wide coordination of military-related procedures, land development, and infrastructure construction is expected to be a key task moving forward.
President Lee also ordered that plans for power and water supply to the semiconductor cluster be prepared without delay. He further instructed close communication with the National Assembly to expedite the necessary legislative amendments for the construction of the industrial complex and infrastructure supply.
In particular, President Lee emphasized the need for rapid execution of the Honam semiconductor cluster, comparing its pace to that of the Kumamoto semiconductor complex in Japan. He stated, "At this stage, land and infrastructure are of utmost importance," and expressed a desire for the Honam semiconductor cluster to be executed as swiftly as that in Kumamoto.
He also called for innovation in the government's decision-making and administrative processes. President Lee noted, "A comprehensive review is necessary to prevent issues such as bureaucratic silos, regulations, and lack of infrastructure from dampening corporate investment or delaying procedures," and asked Prime Minister Han Seung-soo to pay special attention to related issues.
President Lee stressed, "We need to simultaneously push forward with related procedures to significantly reduce the time required and continuously improve regulations," adding, "We are in a situation where we must go beyond speed battles to decisive action."
This meeting was convened to review the overall progress of the mega project following the first review meeting held last month, which focused on the Honam semiconductor cluster. President Lee explained, "Today, we need to broaden the scope to include industry and various regions to review the entire mega project."
He also called for measures to prevent the investment outcomes of the mega project from concentrating on specific companies or regions, a phenomenon referred to as 'K-shaped growth.' President Lee stated, "The ultimate goal of the mega project is to expand the axis of growth across the entire nation and to reshape the map of ultra-gap industries with a focus on local areas."
He emphasized the need to support the entire industrial ecosystem, including materials, parts, and equipment, and to connect the development of physical artificial intelligence (AI) to the transformation of manufacturing through AI. He urged Samsung and SK to actively engage in business activities that can spread investment outcomes to partner companies and the local economy.
President Lee remarked, "It is already too late once investments are made and factories are built," and urged that plans for collective growth be considered from the early stages of projects. He concluded by stating, "Consider the next year as a golden time and accelerate efforts."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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