Lawmaker slams Honam semiconductor cluster as 'dictatorial economics'

A prominent lawmaker from South Korea's ruling People Power Party has sharply criticized the government's plan to establish a semiconductor cluster in the Honam region, labeling it a product of "dictatorial economics" that disregards market principles.

Song Eon-seok, a member of the National Assembly, expressed his strong opposition on social media, stating that the project resembles an economic model that would make even military dictatorships blush. He accused the current administration of predetermining the Honam cluster's fate and attempting to control the flow of capital expected from future semiconductor market booms.

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Honam semiconductor cluster, which is controlled by the government, could become a power-driven Honam semiconductor gate.

Song emphasized that the government's role should be to foster an environment where businesses can invest and grow freely, rather than dictating investment directions or forcing regional development. He pointed out the lack of objective justification for selecting the Honam region for such a crucial national strategic industry, questioning the basis for the decision.

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The government's role is not to determine the direction of money, but to create an environment where companies can invest and grow freely.

"Semiconductors, as a national strategic industry, must be decided by the market and competitiveness, not by politics," Song asserted. He warned that the cluster should not become a tool for political compensation to a specific region. He urged the government to immediately halt the push for the Honam semiconductor cluster, which he described as driven by "power-led cronyism," and to transparently disclose the site selection criteria and evaluation results to the public.

Failure to do so, Song warned, could lead to the "Honam semiconductor cluster" becoming a "power-driven Honam semiconductor gate."

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National strategic industries like semiconductors must be determined by the market and competitiveness, not by politics.