People Power Party Yongin mayoral candidate Lee Sang-il said this in a ChosunBiz interview on May 28, naming "defending the semiconductor cluster" as the biggest issue in this Yongin mayoral race. Lee said, "Yongin's semiconductor projects are not only for Yongin's future, but are directly tied to the competitiveness of Korea's industry," and noted, "Amid China's fierce pursuit, the semiconductor industry is in a race against seconds."
Lee said, "The ruling force is trying to halt Yongin's well-advancing semiconductor projects and transfer them to the provinces," adding, "If this happens, it will be a fatal blow not only to Yongin but also to Korea's semiconductor competitiveness."
Lee also took issue with Democratic Party of Korea Yongin mayoral candidate Hyun Geun-taek answering "I don't know exactly" when asked his home address in a recent TV debate. Lee said, "Only someone who has lived long in the area and knows every nook and cranny can properly serve as mayor of a large city like Yongin," adding, "If a person doesn't even know their own house number, how can they know the entire city?" The following is a Q&A with Lee.
─You named defending the semiconductor cluster as the biggest issue in this Yongin mayoral election.
"Yongin's semiconductor projects are for Yongin's future, but they are also projects for the people of Korea and for the future. Amid China's strong pursuit, the industry is so pressed for time that people say, "If you doze off, you die," and they are clinging to technology development in a race against seconds.
But the ruling force is trying to halt the well-advancing semiconductor projects in Yongin and transfer them to the provinces. If so, the projects will obviously be delayed 5 or 10 years. Samsung Electronics is investing with everything on the line, and the government should not try to block it, let alone fail to help."
─As mayor, what did you do to attract the Yongin semiconductor cluster?
"Even before taking office as mayor in 2022, I set up a Semiconductor Cluster TF on the transition committee to study global trends in the semiconductor industry and consider what Yongin should do. I met senior Samsung Electronics officials to persuade them to invest in Yongin, and I also proposed to the government that it designate a national industrial complex. The designation as a national industrial complex was actually made.
Yongin's semiconductor ecosystem has competitiveness at the world's highest level, acknowledged even by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). If this project is split up and transferred to the provinces, it will undermine our own competitiveness and result in handing over leadership in semiconductors to rival countries."
─Do you see the semiconductor projects as also tied to development across Yongin City?
"Yes. These projects are connected to Yongin's road, rail and public facilities projects. The semiconductor projects must proceed as planned for these projects' economic feasibility to improve and for swift progress to be possible. The semiconductor cluster is not a simple industrial complex; it is the core engine of Yongin's great leap forward."
─Hyun also said he would "stake his position" to defend the cluster.
"Hyun saying he would "stake his position to defend it" admits that President Lee Jae-myung said he would split up and move the national industrial complex. As the president's "yes-man," can he stop the president when the president says he will move it?
I will defend the Yongin semiconductor cluster together with citizens, with the power of citizens. If citizens band tightly together in this election and show that they will stand up to the ruling force, they will not be able to tamper with Yongin."
─There is controversy over Hyun answering in a recent TV debate that he "doesn't know exactly" his home address.
"Yongin is a city with both urban and rural characteristics, and with various development projects continuing, administrative demand is surging beyond that of many metropolitan cities. Even to open a single road, if one does not understand the entire area, things can go in the wrong direction. When planning railroads, if one does not know the whole area, one can be swayed by people with strong influence.
A mayor must have the map of the entire city in mind. Only then can the details be corrected. But if a person doesn't even know their own house number, how can they know the entire city?"
─You criticized Hyun's YTX rail network plan.
"The fact that he copied what I proposed four years ago and put YTX forward as a core pledge is proof that he does not know the area. Four years ago, when I proposed a branch line of the Shinbundang Line, I said I would conduct a feasibility study and follow the results. The actual study found very low economic viability and technical problems, so it was scrapped, and I explained this to citizens.
The YTX route plan conflicts with other rail projects such as the Dongbaek–Shinbong Line, the Eonnam–Dongcheon Line, and the Chungcheong Region Metropolitan Express Railroad (JTX). It could completely ruin Yongin's existing rail network plans."
─In the debate, you also took issue with Hyun's sexual harassment controversy and the settlement process.
"Sexual issues do not end just because they are legally settled and smoothed over. Yongin City's sexual harassment prevention guidelines say, "The mayor has a duty to prepare and implement measures to prevent sexual harassment, sexual violence and stalking." But can someone with such a record properly fulfill that duty?
To run as mayor of a city of 1.11 million, one must explain in detail to citizens what procedures and means were used to settle. Saying it cannot be disclosed due to a "confidential settlement" is a response one could give as "private Hyun Geun-taek" or "attorney Hyun Geun-taek." As a public office candidate, he must explain clearly."
─Why should the next Yongin mayor be Lee Sang-il?
"In Yongin, there have been no two-term mayors, and there has been regret that administrative continuity suffers. In the four years of the 8th popularly elected term, we achieved far more than what was promised to citizens. The implementation rate of 212 pledges is 95%.
To defend the semiconductor cluster, complete the road and rail networks, and grow Yongin into a city that draws global attention, administrative continuity is needed. I will secure a second term and speed up Yongin's great leap forward, which has started its engine. I will build a city that draws global attention, like Silicon Valley in the United States."