Kang Wiwon, Jeollanam-do Vice Governor for Economic Affairs: "The National Semiconductor Industrial Complex Should Go to Honam"

Criticizes Han Junho's opposition to "relocation to Honam" via Facebook
"Jeollanam-do is the RE100 holy ground and the largest producer of renewable energy in the country"

Kang Wiwon, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Jeonnam Province

Kang Wiwon, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of South Jeolla Province, strongly objected after Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Han Junho (Goyang-eul, Gyeonggi Province) effectively voiced opposition to the possibility of relocating the (Yongin) national semiconductor industrial complex to the Honam region.

On the 24th, Vice Governor Kang wrote on his Facebook page, "Assemblyman Han is the next-generation and new-generation political leader I have paid the most attention to, and he is a steadfast comrade with whom I am on very close terms," adding, "Nevertheless, I must say something publicly. 'This is not right.'" expressing his discomfort.

Vice Governor Kang said, "I thought Assemblyman Han would look beyond the industrial hegemony of the Seoul metropolitan area and declare a new strategy by considering the national strategy," and pointed out, "Semiconductor competitiveness is determined not by land but by energy and water. It is a misjudgment to see the delay in the Yongin industrial complex merely as an issue of land acquisition or administrative speed."

He then asked in return, "No matter how quickly you purchase the land, where will you get the power to run that enormous complex and the massive amount of industrial water?" He stressed, "The approach of being fixated on the single-pole dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area and forcing other regions to make sacrifices and bear astronomical transmission costs has now reached its expiration date."

He went on to say, "True national competitiveness lies in a 'prepared Honam,'" adding, "South Jeolla Province is the RE100 hub and the largest producer of renewable energy in the country. It is the only viable option that can reliably supply the renewable energy demanded by global companies."

Vice Governor Kang stated, "Unlike Yongin, which is anxiously grappling with water shortage risks, South Jeolla Province is ready to supply more than 1.3 million tons of water per day," and emphasized, "National strategic projects should be pursued based on economic practicality, not political considerations."

He concluded by saying, "We do not have time to cling only to Yongin," and added, "It is time to change the game. Shouldn't politicians in the Seoul metropolitan area be more honest?"

Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Han Junho held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the same day regarding the recent "controversy over delays in creating the Yongin national semiconductor industrial complex" and the "proposal to relocate it to Honam," stating, "National strategic projects must not be delayed by regional balance logic or passive administration."