President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday strongly criticized the conservative opposition for arguing that the three mega projects are impossible, saying, "Is it right for public officials entrusted with the nation's finances to take this kind of attitude?" and telling them, "Do not obstruct this."
Lee made the remarks at the Public-Private Joint Review Meeting on the three mega projects held at the Blue House that day, saying, "It's very hard to understand. They protested, asking why we were excluded on the premise that it was possible, and then with the same mouth they claim it's a fraud, it's impossible, it's an event."
Lee pointed out, "If you judge it to be possible, you should make only that argument. But they argue for balance on the premise that it's possible, and then, on the premise that it's impossible, they call it deception, an event." He then snapped, "Do just one thing. Either criticize it on the premise that it's impossible, or point out the imbalance on the premise that it's possible. I wish they would do just one of the two." He went on to stress again, "I hope they won't obstruct us like this. We are truly trying to create new opportunities for the Republic of Korea, for our people, and for struggling young people. Even if they cannot cooperate as much as possible, I hope they will not greatly obstruct us."
Lee also called for making concrete the promotion measures, site confirmation, corporate requirements, support plans by relevant ministries, and the implementation schedule. "We need to prepare who will take on what role, how, and implement it quickly," Lee said. "We also need to finalize site selection." He explained, "Companies should also speak specifically about what they need," and "relevant ministries must clearly present their support plans and implementation schedules."
"Vagueness is absolutely unacceptable," he said, repeatedly emphasizing a speed battle. "Be clear. Only then will the work pick up speed." He also said, "Right now, extremely fierce competition is unfolding around the world, and a completely new future centered on artificial intelligence is being prepared." He then raised his voice, saying, "A total competition with the nation's fate at stake is truly underway, and in this situation, it seems the outcome will be decided by who seizes the lead faster, by who is faster."
After noting that a Special Committee for Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Semiconductor Industry will be launched based on the Special Semiconductor Act taking effect in August, Lee said, "In connection with the committee, I will carefully manage the work through additional meetings." He added, "Let me stress once again: this is not an event."
Meanwhile, the review meeting was attended by figures from the Blue House, including Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom; from central and local governments, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok, and Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyung-bae; as well as CEO-level figures from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
Starting with the southwestern region on the 29th of last month, the three mega projects, spanning the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions, unveiled a large-scale investment plan worth 1,600 trillion won, the largest since the founding of the nation. The investment blueprint includes 896 trillion won for a semiconductor cluster in the southwestern region, 392 trillion won for semiconductor packaging in the Chungcheong region, and 312 trillion won for physical AI and the aerospace industry in the Yeongnam region.
