President Lee Jae-myung on the 29th bowed and greeted Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, saying he wanted to call the two "national heroes, people's heroes" on behalf of our businesspeople. The corporations decided to invest 800 trillion won in semiconductor production facilities in the southwest region in line with the government's "artificial intelligence (AI) industrial great innovation" policy, 81 trillion won to foster a packaging hub in the Chungcheong region, and 550 trillion won to build AI data centers.
That afternoon at Cheong Wa Dae, the president presided over the "Korea grand leap three mega projects national briefing" and heard from the two chairmen on investment plans and business ideas for future industries including AI Semiconductor. When Chey finished his presentation, the president immediately came on stage with Lee and said, "I dare say this is a truly moving moment. A new history of Korea has begun, and we are now greeting a new future beyond imagination."
The president said, "While corporations act for profit, they can also act for the future of the national community, and that has been clearly proven," adding, "They could go overseas to places with better conditions, but I would like to offer greetings on behalf of our people for the difficult choices and decisions our corporations have made for the people and the future of Korea."
The president then bowed at a 90-degree angle in turn to Lee and Chey. He continued, "To signify that we will carry out this plan surely and without a hitch, let's shake hands," and shook hands with the two chairmen in turn. When the emcee suggested, "Please shout 'fighting' for the future of Korea," the president, Lee, and Chey stood side by side at center stage and shouted "fighting."
◇ Samsung Electronics: "Three support requests for semiconductor investment" Lee: "I will take direct responsibility"
On corporate requests such as administrative support and infrastructure support, he said, "The president will take direct responsibility." On the day, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and CEO Jun Young-hyun asked the government for ▲ swift one-stop administrative support ▲ national industrial complex infrastructure support such as power and water ▲ improvements to living conditions.
Jun said, "Swift one-stop administrative support that can dramatically speed up investment is urgent," adding, "If a dedicated department, including for the Yongin national industrial complex, quickly handles these procedures, it will greatly help accelerate investment and enhance business competitiveness." On power and water supply, he said, "Please have the state directly guarantee supply to national industrial complexes at stable levels and competitive prices on par with global competitors," and he also asked for dramatic support for living conditions.
The president said, "I will have the president take direct responsibility for swift one-stop administrative procedures," adding, "I will form a separate team at Cheong Wa Dae dedicated solely to this project, and I myself will make sure to oversee it until the project is finished and until my term ends." On industrial complex infrastructure, he replied, "The special semiconductor law already allows priority support for localities," and added, "The government will take clear responsibility for this part."