Possibility of Discussion at the National Assembly Industry Committee
Supplementary Measures Including Preliminary Feasibility Study Exemption and Workforce Supply Plans
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] A bill containing provisions such as exemption from preliminary feasibility studies and expansion of professional workforce training to support the creation of strategic industry specialized complexes has been proposed by the opposition party.
On the 22nd, Kim Han-jung, the opposition party's ranking member of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, officially proposed the "Partial Amendment to the Special Act on Strengthening and Protecting National Advanced Strategic Industry Competitiveness."
Since the current law, enacted in August, there have been issues pointed out such as the complicated local government approval process for advanced strategic industries like semiconductors, and the lack of support systems and professional workforce. The amendment aims to address these problems. As the ruling party has also proposed multiple bills to support specialized complexes, the possibility of committee discussions has increased.
The amendment reduces the discretion of approval authorities to expedite the creation of specialized complexes and requires that the approval processing plan be submitted to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy within a maximum of 30 days. Additionally, for projects that need to be rapidly promoted to ensure national and economic security, stable industrial supply chains, and future competitiveness, exemption from preliminary feasibility studies may be granted.
To address workforce supply, the amendment adds science and engineering departments and industry-demand tailored high schools to workforce training projects and establishes grounds for adjusting the enrollment quotas of students related to strategic industries.
Representative Kim said, "Support centered on companies is necessary to maintain the competitiveness of national advanced strategic industries, including semiconductors, and to strengthen our technology base," adding, "Since this is a matter of interest to both ruling and opposition lawmakers, I will strive for smooth discussions during the bill review process."
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