"It is more favorable to do business than in any other country in the world, and I will focus on creating many conditions for domestic investment instead of Korean corporations going abroad."
Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, visited the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek campus on the 26th, promising comprehensive support for regulatory innovation and infrastructure expansion, and urged active investment in the country.
At 1:30 p.m., Kim visited the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek campus dressed in a black suit, accompanied by over 10 members of the People Power Party. The guestbook noted, 'Samsung semiconductor ultra-class gap.'
During a subsequent meeting with Samsung Electronics, Kim said, 'Every time I pass by the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek campus, I feel quite proud and fulfilled,' emphasizing the achievement of attracting Samsung Electronics to the campus during his time as governor of Gyeonggi Province.
Kim recalled, 'When the Pyeongtaek semiconductor factory was being established, I met Chairman Lee Kun-hee and several CEOs, and they all said, 'There will be no more investment in Korea. How can we build more semiconductor factories?' and firmly opposed it. I spent almost four years persuading them.'
He added, 'At that time (when attracting the Pyeongtaek campus), I gave this land without leaving even a single won as acquisition cost. Many people said, 'It's a privilege for Samsung. How can you give it for 460,000 won?' But in the U.S., 1 million pyeong or 2 million pyeong can be obtained for 1 dollar. Why do we have to get 460,000 won per pyeong in Korea while being criticized tremendously for attracting corporations?'
He promised to innovate regulations and provide comprehensive support to revive the economy and create quality jobs.
Kim emphasized, 'If I become president, I will fully support the semiconductor industry to play a major role in leading all industries and the economy of Korea.'
He especially noted, 'Above all, the most important thing is regulatory reform,' stating, 'The competitiveness of the semiconductor industry comes from R&D (research and development). Core engineers must be able to focus their time on developing new products and concentrate on research, but the current 52-hour work regulation is hindering the industry.' He emphasized his efforts to pass the semiconductor special law centered around the 'relaxation of the 52-hour work week.'
In addition, Kim promised regulatory relief through the establishment of the Regulatory Innovation Office and the enactment of the 'Basic Law for Free Economic Innovation.' He also emphasized that the government would definitely support the expansion of essential infrastructure for semiconductors such as water supply, electricity, and transportation.
Kim stated, 'This election is not just about electing one president. It is a showdown between the real economy and the fake economy, the capable economy and the deceptive economy.'
He said, 'The newly launched government must have everything operational immediately as of June 4, right after the presidential election. Therefore, a more capable and experienced economic team is needed,' introducing Ahn Cheol-soo, co-chair of the election campaign committee and former CEO of AhnLab, and Yang Hyang-ja, co-chair of the election campaign committee and former executive at Samsung Electronics, stating, 'This economic team will prioritize the economy as the new government's greatest challenge.'
Kim further noted, 'Lee Jae-yong (of Samsung Electronics) is still under trial and facing many difficulties,' mentioning the judicial risks faced by domestic corporate CEOs.
He asked, 'Is there any case where a chairman has been on trial for this long?' and added, 'It's not that we don't want trials, but we are concerned that prolonging them may impose restrictions on free corporate activities and R&D (research and development) in various areas.'
He expressed concern, stating, 'The better it goes, the more criticized and constrained our corporations will be, leading them to go overseas.' He then urged, 'I will focus on making Korea a more favorable place to do business than any other country in the world, creating many conditions for Korean corporations to invest domestically instead of going abroad.'
The meeting was attended by Kim, as well as Kim Yong-tae, chair of the emergency response committee; Na Kyung-won and Yang Hyang-ja, co-chairs of the election campaign committee; Song Eon-seok, chair of the National Assembly Planning and Finance Committee; Chu Kyung-ho, chair of the Economic and Livelihood Special Committee; Lee Man-hee, head of the candidate support team; Song Seok-jun, chair of the People's Space Communication Special Committee; Park Chung-kwon, deputy chief of staff; Choi Eun-seok, Park Sung-hoon, and Park Soo-min, members of the National Assembly.
From Samsung Electronics, 송재혁, chief technology officer (CTO) of the institutional sector, along with 부사장 지현기, Samsung Global Research head 김완표, CR division head 박승희, institutional sector head 엄재훈, and global manufacturing infrastructure head 윤태양 also attended.
Before the meeting, over 100 executives and employees gathered in front of the first-floor lobby where the meeting was held to see Kim. When he appeared, many of them warmly welcomed him with applause and offered to shake hands. Supporters cheered, saying, 'Moon-soo, fighting!' 'We love you, candidate!' 'We support you. Win!'