[Metro24 Hours] Semiconductor Powerhouse and the Neglected Regional Sentiment

The backlash is intensifying over the exclusion of Gangwon Province and Wonju City from the 'National Advanced Semiconductor Industrial Complex Development Plan' announced by the government on the 15th. Governor Kim Jin-tae's political skills are also being put to the test.

On the 20th, Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae held a press conference, stating, "I am planning to meet with Samsung. I will discuss the semiconductor industry with them," and emphasized, "Do not worry about Gangwon's semiconductor cluster. We will proceed without wavering."

Governor Kim particularly highlighted that President Yoon Seok-yeol, during his visit to Wonju last year as president-elect, mentioned, "It would be good to include Wonju in the Central Semiconductor Cluster."

Members of the Democratic Party in Wonju City expressed disappointment, saying, "The government recently announced plans to develop Yongin in Gyeonggi Province as an advanced system semiconductor cluster, but there was not a single mention of Wonju."

Civil society organizations from Gangwon, Yeongnam, Honam, Jeju, and Chungcheong regions, calling for balanced development, also issued a statement pointing out the concentration and monopolization of advanced industries in the Seoul metropolitan area, stating, "It is clear that this will deepen the overconcentration in the metropolitan area and the extinction of local areas."

Of course, there are also views supporting the government and Samsung's decision to invest in Yongin, saying, "Now is the time for Korea to focus on becoming a semiconductor hub," and "Regional balanced development should not be decided based on political criteria."

This semiconductor debate also reflects differing perspectives by region. Provinces like Gangwon focus on regional balanced development, while the government and the metropolitan area emphasize national competitiveness and efficiency.

This is not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of choice. The government and political circles must pursue policies to further develop 'Korea as a semiconductor powerhouse' with pride and responsibility.