Ruling party leader accuses president of 'state-controlled intervention' in semiconductor investment

Chung Jung-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, strongly criticized President Lee Jae-myung's recent statements regarding semiconductor investment in the Honam region. Chung asserted that the president's remarks were an attempt to obscure the core issues and an "admission of state-controlled intervention," implying that factory locations were decided through government interference.

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The core of the controversy is precisely because of transparency, fairness, and objectivity.

Chung's criticism stems from President Lee's social media post addressing concerns about the Honam semiconductor cluster. The president had stated that such matters are not strictly black and white but involve "administrative guidance" rather than abuse of power or coercion. Chung countered this by arguing that the current controversy arises precisely because of a lack of transparency, fairness, and objectivity in the decision-making process.

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We are questioning whether the site selection was based on a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process under the autonomous judgment of businesses.

"We are not opposing semiconductor factories in Gwangju and Jeonnam," Chung clarified. "We are questioning whether the site selection was based on a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process under the autonomous judgment of businesses, especially when multiple companies are competing to attract factories nationwide."

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This project is a forced decision driven by state-controlled intervention rather than the companies' autonomous judgment.

He further emphasized that the simultaneous announcement of large-scale investment plans by two competing companies for the same location suggests a "forced decision driven by state-controlled intervention rather than the companies' autonomous judgment." Chung concluded by urging President Lee to cease making social media posts that resemble election campaigning and to concentrate on governing the nation.

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It is inappropriate conduct for a president to be making social media posts like this, as if campaigning, regarding the nation's century-long semiconductor industry.