“Plans to Introduce Groundbreaking Measures Such as Tax Incentives and Regulatory Support”
“A Structure Where Various Stakeholders Can Benefit Must Be Created”
On December 10, President Lee Jaemyung emphasized that the semiconductor industry is the core of Korea's industrial and economic leap forward, highlighting the need to strengthen the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, including materials, components, and equipment, as well as promoting balanced regional development. President Lee stated, "It is important to expand the overall pie, but we must also create a structure where various stakeholders can benefit," urging for 'broad and deep growth.'
At the "K-Semiconductor Vision and Development Strategy Briefing" held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the afternoon of December 10, President Lee said, "With the sudden advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, the world seems to be changing at a dizzying pace. Korea must move beyond this brief period of confusion and make a new leap forward. Industrial and economic development is at the core of this, and among them, the semiconductor sector is a highly promising area where we have significant competitiveness."
Regarding the approach to growth, President Lee stressed, "It is very important to expand the overall pie. Secondly, I believe it would be good if the pie could be shared more diversely so that more people can benefit." He continued, "If you dig a well narrowly and shallowly, you may dig it quickly, but it will be difficult to dig deeper. I hope we can take the path of digging more broadly-even if it takes more time-so that we can go deeper. That is my wish as the chief policymaker."
On the topic of the semiconductor supply chain, President Lee identified the strengthening of the ecosystem-including upstream and downstream industries such as materials, components, and equipment-as a key task. He said, "I hope that the domestic industrial ecosystem can be properly established. There are also concerns that the so-called materials, components, and equipment sectors, which are mainly discussed now, have a very high dependence on overseas sources. I hope you will pay attention to these areas as well." He added, "A robust ecosystem is essential for sustainable, long-term growth and development."
President Lee also stressed the importance of linking this with balanced regional development. He said, "I hope companies can contribute to balanced development," but noted, "Since companies operate based on capital logic, there are limits to relying solely on goodwill." He explained, "We are systematically preparing measures such as tax incentives, deregulation, infrastructure development, and securing residential conditions for workforce supply, so that these can be beneficial for companies from a business perspective, not just out of goodwill."
He further requested, "For balanced development, please turn your attention to the southern regions, which are rich in renewable energy, and take an interest in building new industrial ecosystems there." He added, "The government is preparing to introduce truly groundbreaking policy measures."
The briefing was attended by Jun Younghyun, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Kwak Nojeong, CEO of SK Hynix; representatives from semiconductor equipment, materials, fabless, and AI semiconductor companies; as well as academic and research experts. On the government side, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon; Minister of Education Choi Gyojin; Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan; Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission Joo Byeonggi; Chairman of the Financial Services Commission Lee Eogweon; and Vice Chairman of the National AI Committee Im Moonyeong were present.
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