President Lee Jae-myung, asked about the transfer of the Yongin semiconductor cluster to Saemangeum during a New Year's press conference at the Blue House state guesthouse on the 21st, said, "It is not easy to overturn the government policy," but added, "We can persuade or guide."
Lee said the Yongin semiconductor cluster would need 13 gigawatts of power, noting, "You would need 10 nuclear power plants—where will you get that electricity?" He continued, "If you build a transmission network from the south and supply it, do you think the region will stay quiet?" and added, "If drought hits the Han River and water volume falls short, the Seoul metropolitan area's drinking water will be at risk—how will you secure industrial water?"
Lee said, "Corporate siting cannot be done just because politicians ask," adding, "Corporations do not do what is not profitable. The same goes for site selection—you have to create conditions that corporations can accept."
He added, "There is no government that can beat the market, but there is no market that can beat the government," explaining, "I cannot overturn what was decided by government policy, but if the public rallies for balanced regional development and growth for all, a major course correction will be possible."
Lee repeatedly pointed to the power and water issues for the Yongin semiconductor cluster. He said, "The cardinal principle is that electricity should be used where it is generated," adding, "It is not acceptable to generate electricity in the provinces, build a large number of transmission towers, and funnel it to the Seoul metropolitan area." Lee said, "We need to persuade and ensure understanding on these points so that there is no harm elsewhere or that it brings benefits," and added, "It is a protracted task that takes a lot of energy—please think of (the Yongin semiconductor transfer) as one part of that."