Expansion of Support for Power and Water Supply, and Policy Funds for Relocating Residents and Companies
Requests for Expedited Railway and Road Network Projects, Including Exemption from Preliminary Feasibility Study for Bundang Line Extension
Lee Sangil, Mayor of Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province, has called for expanded government-level support to ensure the seamless development of the 'Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex' in the Idong and Namsa-eup areas.
On December 29, Yongin City announced that on the previous day, Mayor Lee met with Koo Yooncheol, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, and requested active government support to ensure that the large-scale semiconductor project and transportation infrastructure construction underway in Yongin proceed without disruption.
Through the materials he delivered to Deputy Prime Minister Koo, Mayor Lee proposed: ▲ timely establishment of essential infrastructure such as power and water supply for the Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex; ▲ provision of low-interest policy funds for relocating residents and companies; ▲ reduction of local government financial burdens for the national advanced strategic industry materials, parts, and equipment (so-called "Sobu-jang") investment support program; ▲ approval of the preliminary feasibility study for the 6th National and Local Road Construction Plan routes; and ▲ exemption from or expedited processing of the preliminary feasibility study for the extension of the Bundang Line from Giheung Station to Osan University Station.
Mayor Lee stated, "To enhance the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry, which is crucial for Korea's future, national attention and support for semiconductor companies investing in Yongin and for local governments are essential," adding, "In particular, timely establishment of infrastructure such as power and water supply is necessary to ensure the industrial complex is developed without setbacks."
To this end, Mayor Lee recommended that, in addition to the already confirmed first-phase supply plans for water and power to the industrial complex, the second and third-phase power supply plans currently under review should also be finalized quickly to ensure stable power and water supply in line with the operation schedule of Samsung Electronics' production lines.
Mayor Lee also requested consideration for providing low-interest policy funds and financial support measures to reduce interest burdens for residents and companies relocating to the industrial complex as they secure resettlement funds.
He further emphasized the need to reduce the financial burden on local governments for the investment support program for semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, which aims to foster national advanced strategic industries and stabilize supply chains. Mayor Lee argued that if local governments are required to bear 60% of the investment support funds, which the government is planning to introduce to encourage domestic investment by key companies, it would be difficult to sustain the program in the long term.
Additionally, Mayor Lee requested that the Ministry of Economy and Finance either exempt the Bundang Line extension project from the preliminary feasibility study or expedite its progress. He also asked the government to include five road routes being promoted by the city to improve transportation around the Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex and the Wonsam-myeon 'Yongin Semiconductor General Industrial Complex' in the '6th National and Local Road Construction Plan.'
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