As the Blue House is set to announce public-private investment projects in advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors on the 29th, Presidential Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom said on the 26th that the size of the related investments is so large that "a debate over 'is this for real?' will intensify." Some observers say Samsung Electronics' investment could reach 1,000 trillion won.
Kim appeared on the YouTube program "Kim Ou-joon's Humility Is Difficult News Factory" on the morning of the 26th and, regarding the investment projects to be announced at next week's "Korea Great Leap Three Mega Projects National Briefing," said, "The figures to be announced at the briefing will be so large as to feel unfamiliar to many people." Kim also said, "Corporations themselves will explain why such large-scale investment is necessary," adding there will be "relay briefings" in each region.
Building a semiconductor cluster in the Honam region is an initiative President Lee Jae-myung has pursued as part of "balanced regional development." In a senior secretaries' meeting the previous day, Lee also said, "To overcome the single-pole concentration in the capital area, a groundbreaking strategy to diversify key strategic industries by expanding large-scale investment in advanced core industries to Yeongnam, Chungcheong, Gangwon, Jeju and Honam is essential."
In politics, including the opposition, some claim the government is pressuring Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to make massive investments to win votes in Honam. In response, Kim said, "These are corporations at the world's No. 1 and No. 2 level; squeezing them doesn't make it happen."
Kim went on, "Corporations said they would build semiconductor fabs by 2048 and 2044, but we need to move that up by 10 or 12 years. Early completion is necessary," adding, "After that, there will be no power or water—then do they go overseas? That's why we have to prepare on a large scale (for new facilities) 7–8 years in advance."
It means new facilities must be pursued now, given that building a semiconductor plant takes 7–8 years. The Blue House believes the Yongin cluster, now operating and under construction, will reach saturation around 2035 and, considering the semiconductor industry's "timeline," wants to accelerate related discussions.