Yongin mayor opposes 'semiconductor complex public debate' calls, citing national project disruption concerns

Yongin City is strongly opposing a call by the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) for public deliberation on national semiconductor industrial complex policies. The city views this move as an attempt to destabilize ongoing national projects, particularly Samsung Electronics' planned 360 trillion won investment in the Yongin system semiconductor cluster.

On June 22, the NEAC stated that the government should establish a forum for public discussion when deciding on semiconductor industry policies. It also suggested that investment locations should consider factors beyond industrial competitiveness, including power and water supply stability, regional consumption, balanced national development, and local economic revitalization.

This stance has drawn sharp criticism from Yongin City, where significant semiconductor investments are already underway. Mayor Lee Sang-il stated on June 23 that if the NEAC's intention is to disrupt the established Yongin cluster project, "Yongin citizens will absolutely not tolerate it." He questioned the NEAC's assertion that current national semiconductor policies were unilaterally announced without sufficient public consultation, pointing out that the SK Hynix cluster in Won-sam, established during the previous administration, also did not undergo such a process.

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If the intention is to shake the Yongin I-dong/Nam-sa Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex project, which has already been decided as a national policy and is underway, Yongin citizens will absolutely not tolerate it.

Lee accused the NEAC of attempting to steer semiconductor fab relocation towards "pro-government" regions seeking to benefit from such investments. Lee Sang-won, Secretary-General of the 'Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex Defense Citizens' Committee,' added that advocating for public deliberation by non-experts in a highly specialized field like technology and security could hinder swift investment and politicize crucial industrial decisions.

NEAC Chairman Park Seok-woon clarified that the council's intention is to review factors like power and water supply and local opposition to transmission towers, not to redirect investments. He stated that separate discussions are planned regarding potential semiconductor investments in Jeonnam and Gwangju, with parliamentary and government forums scheduled for July 6 and 16.

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Advocating for public deliberation by non-experts in a highly specialized field like technology and security could hinder swift investment and politicize crucial industrial decisions.