Trust in the Semiconductor Belt... Reform New Party Gathers at Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Plant

The leadership of the Reform New Party visited the semiconductor factory at Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on the 12th to court votes.

Yang Hyang-ja, the floor leader and former executive director at Samsung Electronics, said in a phone call before visiting Hwaseong Campus that morning, "The K-Chips Act, which expanded tax credits for facility investments, is set to expire at the end of this year," adding, "We will promptly push for the legislation of 'K-Chips Act Season 2,' consisting of six amendments including the Special Tax Treatment Control Act to extend it until the end of 2030."

The reason the Reform New Party leadership visited the semiconductor factory together is interpreted as an effort to concentrate the party's capabilities on the battle for the 'semiconductor belt' in southern Gyeonggi as the general election approaches in 29 days. Previously, Party Leader Lee Jun-seok ran in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, a region of Dongtan New Town; Floor Leader Yang ran in Yongin-gap, Gyeonggi; and Representative Lee Won-wook ran in Hwaseong-jeong, Gyeonggi, targeting southern Gyeonggi.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Reform New Party analyzed that related support policies are urgently needed as the semiconductor industry is currently facing a serious outflow of skilled personnel. Floor Leader Yang expressed concern, saying, "Recently, a large number of SK Hynix personnel moved to Micron," and "Especially with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, personnel with high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology are receiving top-tier treatment and are being poached overseas."

The Reform New Party pledged to advance the groundbreaking schedule for the semiconductor national industrial complex, planned for the end of 2026, and to secure talent by attracting semiconductor Meister high schools, science high schools, and international schools.

The joint front for the semiconductor belt by the Reform New Party is expected to accelerate going forward. Floor Leader Yang will officially begin courting votes in the constituency through a campaign office opening ceremony ahead of the election on the 13th. A party official said, "We will actively promote that Dongtan and Banwol areas are the right candidates to establish the foundation for growing into self-sufficient cities within the metropolitan semiconductor belt economic zone."