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🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

South Korean civic groups slam government's 'mega-projects' as 'development frenzy'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Over 130 civic, environmental, and labor groups criticized the government's "three mega-projects" as "unprecedented development frenzy."
  • They argue the projects, focused on semiconductors, AI, and data centers, lack public discussion, threaten ecosystems, and disregard labor rights.
  • The groups called for a complete review of the projects, citing concerns over massive public fund allocation and environmental impact.

A coalition of over 130 civic, environmental, and labor organizations has strongly condemned the South Korean government's "three mega-projects," labeling them an "unprecedented development frenzy" that requires immediate reconsideration. The projects, centered on semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI), and AI data centers, are being criticized for their lack of public consultation and potential negative impacts.

These three mega-projects are an unprecedented development frenzy and must be comprehensively reviewed.

— Civic, environmental, and labor groupsStating their main criticism of the government's initiative.

During a press conference, the groups argued that while the government promotes the projects as drivers of national competitiveness and balanced regional development, there has been virtually no social discourse or consensus-building regarding their feasibility. They contend that these initiatives undermine democratic principles, threaten the climate and ecosystem, and endanger labor rights and worker safety, as well as the livelihoods of farmers.

The three mega-projects of the Lee Jae-myung government, while promoting national competitiveness and balanced regional development, have completely lacked social discussion and consensus-building on their feasibility.

— Civic, environmental, and labor groupsDetailing the lack of public consultation.

Key concerns raised include the astronomical public funds being allocated without adequate review of the projects' necessity, effectiveness, or their impact on local communities and the environment. The organizations also highlighted the anti-environmental nature of the projects, particularly in light of President Lee Jae-myung's directive to streamline environmental impact assessments. They questioned the compatibility of these large-scale developments with national greenhouse gas reduction targets and warned of potential issues arising from extending the operation of aging nuclear power plants.

This is an unprecedented development frenzy that undermines democratic principles, destroys the climate and ecosystem, and threatens labor rights, worker safety, and farmers' survival.

— Civic, environmental, and labor groupsSummarizing the broad negative impacts.

Furthermore, the groups expressed alarm over the potential threat to farmers' livelihoods due to increased water demand and the lack of consideration for climate disasters like droughts and floods. They also pointed to the disregard for labor rights and worker safety in semiconductor manufacturing, which is known for its use of hazardous materials and recurring industrial accidents. The potential relaxation of the 52-hour workweek was also cited as a concern that could lead to excessive working hours and a deterioration of labor conditions.

The development frenzy that over-invests national resources in specific volatile industries and gives privileges to a few large corporations will deepen the concentration of the entire industrial structure and maximize wealth inequality and economic disparities.

— Lee Heon-seok, Policy Director, Energy Justice ActionExplaining the potential economic consequences.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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