Industry Minister Criticized for Unsold Industrial Complexes "Focusing on Youth Influx"

Kim Tae-seon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (right), is seen questioning Ahn Deok-geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, at the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts on the 12th.

Andeokgeun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "We will focus on creating industrial complexes where young people can enter."

Minister Andeokgeun made this remark on the 12th during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts to review the next year's economic department budget proposal. His statement came after Kim Taeseon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out the actual conditions of unsold industrial complexes and the inadequacy of the government's remodeling projects.

Rep. Kim criticized, "According to the Industrial Location Act, when building industrial complexes, educational, research, office, support, and distribution facilities must be constructed, but many places have only built factories." He added, "Because of this, young people do not go there, resulting in many unsold units in industrial complexes." Regarding the remodeling projects for aging industrial complexes, he emphasized, "Stop using the project funds to build roads or parking lots," and stressed, "Other facilities such as cultural facilities should be included."

In response, Minister Andeokgeun said, "This is a very important issue for our ministry," and explained, "We are establishing an Industrial Complex Environment Improvement Fund and expanding convenience facilities such as officetels and dormitories in three industrial complexes." He further added, "We have announced plans to create industrial complexes incorporating culture in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and we will proceed more meticulously."

Questions regarding the issue of unsold industrial complexes were also exchanged. Rep. Kim mentioned, "President Yoon Seok-yeol announced 15 national advanced industrial complexes nationwide in March last year," and noted, "The unsold industrial complexes are 5.5 times the size of Yeouido, and the announced complexes are 1.6 times that size." He requested, "Please review the additional large-scale advanced industrial complexes."

Minister Park Sangwoo of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport responded, "Regarding unsold industrial complexes, building factories is very important for regional development," and explained, "To build factories, land must be available in advance, but if 2 to 3 years pass, the opportunity is lost. Therefore, local governments accept unsold units and develop the complexes to attract factory construction."