Lee: Honam investments are 'drop in the bucket' compared to history, region's underdevelopment is now an advantage

President Lee Jae-myung defended the substantial investment in the Honam region, asserting that it is not a matter of regional discrimination. He acknowledged the significant investment in the region for memory semiconductor fab construction but argued that it pales in comparison to historical cumulative investments.

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If you look at this issue alone, it's true that investment in Honam is high, but when you compare the cumulative investment historically, it's merely a drop in the bucket.

"If you look at this issue alone, it's true that investment in Honam is high, but when you compare the cumulative investment historically, it's merely a drop in the bucket," Lee stated during a State Council meeting. He framed the three mega projects announced the previous day as crucial for overcoming the concentration of power in the Seoul metropolitan area and promoting "growth for all."

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The three mega projects announced yesterday are the key to overcoming the one-centric metropolitan system that breeds discrimination, exclusion, and imbalance, while allowing the entire country to enjoy balanced growth – 'growth for all.'

Lee also addressed concerns about regional disparities, noting that the Yeongnam region has a population of 13 million compared to Honam's 5 million. He acknowledged past discrimination against the Honam region but suggested that this historical disadvantage has paradoxically preserved resources like power, land, and water. This preservation, he explained, makes the region ideal for the large-scale investments required by the current AI boom.

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Your decision to choose the future of our homeland over overseas locations will not be a wrong one, and the South Korean government will actively support you.