President Lee Jae-myung on September 29 called for the simultaneous planning of industrial complexes and residential, educational, medical, and cultural facilities from the outset of mega projects, including those in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.
During the third public-private joint meeting on mega projects held at the Blue House, President Lee stated, "We must integrate the development of industrial complexes and settlement conditions into a single plan from the start of the project."
He referenced the lack of settlement conditions that led to low family relocation rates in innovation cities as a lesson, emphasizing that jobs created through corporate investment should lead to the settlement of employees and their families, as well as improvements in the lives of existing residents.
This meeting was the first since the establishment of the National Strategic Investment Advisory Office at the Blue House, with Samsung Electronics President Kim Yong-kwan and SK Inc. Future Growth President Jeong Seung-il also in attendance.
While previous meetings focused primarily on the creation of industrial complexes, this session concentrated on establishing settlement conditions. President Lee urged relevant ministries to work as a 'one team' centered around dedicated organizations to accelerate implementation.
He instructed, "We need to first identify what is necessary from the perspective of not only the employees but also their families, and then devise support measures based on that demand, rather than having the government unilaterally decide on required facilities and services."
Additionally, President Lee highlighted the importance of ensuring that local residents benefit from new job opportunities. He called for sufficient educational and training opportunities for local youth and students, as well as strategies for collaboration with local small and medium-sized enterprises.
Regarding the southern semiconductor belt, he directed the integration of production capabilities from Honam, materials, parts, and equipment from Yeongnam, and advanced packaging capabilities from Chungcheong. He stated, "To expand the semiconductor growth base concentrated in the metropolitan area nationwide, we must manage regional roles and investment schedules together," and called for clear accountability among agencies to identify and resolve potential delays in projects.
On physical AI and AI data centers, President Lee emphasized the need for tangible results. He remarked, "Physical AI should significantly expand its practical applications in the public sector to lead market creation," and requested that specific execution plans be developed to ensure that local communities receive substantial benefits from AI data centers, including the training of local talent and participation of local businesses.
Meanwhile, during a cabinet meeting earlier that day, President Lee expressed condolences to the families of three soldiers injured in a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and instructed military authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
He stated, "There should be no division between the ruling and opposition parties on security matters," and expressed hope that baseless conspiracy theories related to this incident would not jeopardize national security.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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