South Korean Lawmakers Clash Over Semiconductor Cluster Plan for Honam Region

A political dispute has erupted over the South Korean government's proposal to establish a second semiconductor cluster in the Honam region. Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is strongly opposing the plan, urging the boards of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to reject any government pressure. He argues that the initiative is a politically driven move by the current administration to secure support, likening it to past controversies involving corporate donations.

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Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's second semiconductor cluster is built for the sake of minority shareholders, making us question the true intentions of the Lee Jae-myung government that pushed for the amendment of the Commercial Act.

Han expressed suspicion about the true intentions behind the Honam cluster proposal. He suggested that the government is pressuring major chipmakers to build the facility in the region, using it as a political tool for upcoming party conventions. He warned that if companies agree, the government would likely claim it was a voluntary investment, drawing parallels to the Mir-K Sports Foundation scandal under the previous administration.

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The Lee Jae-myung administration is pressuring Samsung and SK executives, summoning them one after another, to build a semiconductor cluster in Honam as ammunition for the Jeonju general election.

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung criticized Han's stance, labeling it as "old politics." She appears to be defending the government's initiative, suggesting it is a necessary development for the region. The public exchange highlights a significant political divide on economic development strategies and regional investment priorities.

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If the executives, succumbing to coercion, agree to do so, the government will claim that the companies voluntarily decided to invest in response to government policies.