Yang Hyang-ja: "The Democratic Party's Semiconductor Special Committee Should Transcend Political Factions"

"Semiconductors: Beyond Economy to Diplomacy, Security, and Defense Issues"
Democratic Party Lawmaker Lee Sang-min Expresses Willingness to Participate
Emphasis on Special Committee Operation Considering Regional Balanced Development

Yang Hyang-ja, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Strengthening Competitiveness in the Semiconductor Industry, is attending the 1st meeting of the Special Committee on Strengthening Competitiveness in the Semiconductor Industry held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 28th, delivering a greeting./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja emphasized that she will make the People Power Party's Special Committee for Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness (Special Committee), which she chairs, a bipartisan committee that transcends party lines.

After the first meeting of the Semiconductor Special Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 28th, Rep. Yang told reporters, “Since semiconductor issues go beyond the economy to diplomacy, security, and defense, I think everyone will want to participate,” adding, “I believe naturally everyone will join this national effort beyond party lines, so I will visit each member individually to explain the necessity.”

She also highlighted that she has exchanged opinions with some members of the Democratic Party of Korea. Rep. Yang said, “Lee Sang-min, who has KAIST in his constituency, contacted me first and expressed that he would actively participate if it becomes a National Assembly-level special committee,” and added, “When I was in the ruling party (Democratic Party), I also chaired the Democratic Party’s Special Committee on Semiconductor Technology, and since there are members who worked together then, a consensus has already been formed.”

In her opening remarks at the meeting, Rep. Yang explained three policy directions: ▲ regulatory reform ▲ tax credits ▲ talent cultivation, emphasizing, “Once the National Assembly convenes and the National Assembly-level special committee is formed, we will prioritize urgent legislation.”

Song Seok-jun, a People Power Party lawmaker serving as vice-chairman, said in a phone interview, “Although it is a party special committee, it is a committee that includes the private sector,” and added, “We will also consider forming a new type of meeting structure by gathering opinions on whether it can be used for cooperation (including with the Democratic Party).”

Yang Hyang-ja, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness, is attending the 1st meeting of the Special Committee on Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 28th, greeting Kwon Seong-dong, Floor Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Rep. Yang also highly evaluated President Yoon Seok-youl’s interest in the semiconductor industry. She said, “Since his inauguration, he has repeatedly emphasized the importance of semiconductors, so I thought a consensus was being formed,” adding, “If the president recognizes its importance to this extent, I believe the semiconductor industry has a bright future. This gives hope that the special committee will gain strength and be able to operate properly.”

Regarding criticism that expanding university quotas in the Seoul metropolitan area for semiconductor talent cultivation causes concentration in the metropolitan area, she said, “At the national level and from the perspective of regional balanced development, an overall grand plan must be made,” emphasizing, “We will first address the metropolitan concentration issue and any conflicting factors. We will sufficiently gather regional issues and become a special committee that solves them.” To this end, she also announced plans to support universities located in provinces as well as Meister high schools and specialized high schools.