Yongin candidate Hyun Geun-taek: 'I will resign as mayor if Samsung's semiconductor fab moves'

Hyun Geun-taek, a mayoral candidate for Yongin from the Democratic Party, has dramatically staked his political future on the Samsung semiconductor cluster project. In an emergency press conference on May 26, Hyun declared he would resign as mayor if elected, should the "Samsung Electronics fab" be relocated out of Yongin.

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If, by any chance, the Samsung Electronics fab (factory) is relocated to another region, I will take responsibility and resign as mayor even if I am elected.

"If, by any chance, the Samsung Electronics fab (factory) is relocated to another region, I will take responsibility and resign as mayor even if I am elected," Hyun stated. He strongly condemned the relocation rumors, which he attributed to his opponent, Lee Sang-il of the People Power Party, as "irresponsible" and "clear distortion and false propaganda" designed to incite anxiety among Yongin citizens.

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The relocation rumors are clear distortion and false propaganda aimed at inciting anxiety among Yongin citizens.

Hyun underscored the critical importance of the semiconductor cluster, calling it a "national strategic project" vital not only for Yongin but for the future of South Korea. He vowed that the project is "not a subject for compromise" and pledged to defend its original location with his political career on the line. This strong stance is seen as a preemptive move to neutralize the potential impact of the "concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area" versus "relocation to provincial areas" narrative that often surfaces during elections.

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The Yongin semiconductor cluster is a national strategic project that is crucial not only for Yongin but for the future of South Korea and cannot be a subject for compromise.

Aligning himself with President Lee Jae-myung, whom he described as a "long-time political comrade," Hyun presented himself as the "powerful ruling party mayor" capable of realizing the president's national vision. He promised to form a "one-team" coalition with the central government, Gyeonggi Province, and the National Assembly to secure the cluster. His concrete plan includes immediately launching a "Yongin Semiconductor Public-Private-Government Consultative Body" upon election to proactively address infrastructure challenges such as land compensation, water supply, and electricity, and to secure maximum national budget support.

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As a powerful ruling party mayor who can best realize President Lee Jae-myung's national vision, I will protect the cluster by forming a perfect 'one team' with the central government, Gyeonggi Province, and the National Assembly.