Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae disclosed the administrative guidance in which she ordered minimization of semiconductor process quantities for Samsung Electronics(005930) and SK hynix(000660).
Choo said on the 10th that she posted on Facebook an article titled "Second semiconductor administrative guidance," saying she ordered expanded reuse of semiconductor water, reductions in wastewater discharge, and stronger environmental impact assessments.
Choo said, "Intel and TSMC's U.S. plants recycle semiconductor water and are investing in technology toward zero discharge or minimal discharge," adding, "Samsung and Hynix, the world's largest semiconductor corporations, are the exact opposite."
Choo explained, "At the governor-led semiconductor strategy meeting, the semiconductor water inspection found that a plentiful supply of 1.1 million tons per day is possible," and "we are also legislating to enable supplying water from the Hwacheon Dam for power generation."
She added, "With public power, we have established supply measures that allow water to be used cheaply and abundantly, yet they take advantage of this and make no effort to reduce wastewater discharge."
She also said, "There are no strict emission standards at the Climate, Environment and Energy Department," and, "We must ask the Climate, Environment and Energy Department to apply environmental impact assessments more strictly, including discharge standards for the Ansung Gosan Reservoir."
She continued, "After the two measures above are implemented, the progress of the meetings so far, the items requested of the corporations, and every step of the continuous oversight to verify whether the corporations are faithfully carrying them out must be fully explained to local residents."
Choo was reported to have issued this administrative order at the 4th Semiconductor Super-gap Strategy Meeting on the 7th. Earlier, at a work briefing on the 16th of last month, Choo urged Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to develop technology and invest to expand process-water reuse rates, and ordered the implementation of administrative guidance under Article 48 of the Administrative Procedures Act.