與, 호남권 반도체 클러스터 옹호…"국힘 악질적 발목잡기"
Han Byeong-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, gives an opening speech at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 29, 2026. (News1, photographer Yoo Seung-gwan)
(Seoul=News1) Reporters Jo So-young, Kim Se-jeong, and intern Jeon Ji-a = The Democratic Party of Korea on June 29 threw its weight behind the 'Three Mega Projects for Korea's Great Leap Forward' national report meeting, which centers on the creation of a new semiconductor cluster in the Honam region. It actively rebutted the People Power Party's criticism of 'government intervention' as 'malicious obstruction.'
Han Byeong-do, acting leader and floor leader, emphasized at the supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly that day: 'This is a national project that redraws Korea's industrial map and determines the country's future growth engine and the fate of global conglomerates. But the People Power Party, even before the project announcement, is nitpicking with outdated regionalism. They are even distorting facts with provocative words like government-administered administration and corporate arm-twisting. Representative Ahn Cheol-soo is spreading baseless fake news, claiming the president and the Blue House dragged companies by the collar, gave orders, or abused power. Are you sane? This is truly deplorable.'
Acting leader Han said, 'The Democratic Party will respond without tolerance to malicious propaganda with legal action. The People Power Party's claims are a result of ignorance of global companies' survival strategies and malicious obstruction aimed at blocking national growth.'
He added, 'It's natural that they cannot understand because they view everything through outdated party interests and wasteful political strife. I hope the People Power Party stops groundless incitement and cooperates beyond party lines for this national project.'
Supreme Council Member Hwang Myeong-seon also said, 'Serious matters concerning the competitiveness of global companies representing Korea (Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, etc.) and the future of the national economy should not be used as tools for political attack. This is 21st-century treason.'
He continued, 'Claims that semiconductor investment in Honam is a political decision, external pressure on companies, that there is no infrastructure for semiconductors, or that it's reverse discrimination are nothing but political incitement, not facts. People Power Party, wise up.'
He emphasized, 'Gwangju-Jeonnam also received the highest score in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's competition for national advanced industrial complexes during the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. But the Yoon Seok-yeol government overrode objective evaluations with political judgment and excluded Honam, ultimately selecting only Yongin, Pyeongtaek, and Gumi as semiconductor-specialized complexes. This is government-administered economy, blatant political intervention, and blatant regional exclusion.'
Supreme Council Member Kang Deuk-gu said, 'Today marks a new chapter in Korean history. President Lee Jae-myung will hold a national report meeting on the three mega projects for Korea's great leap with CEOs of major conglomerates like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. At the center is the Honam semiconductor cluster.'
He added, 'The People Power Party is continuing pathetic political attacks by riding on regionalism,' mentioning Representative Ahn and independent Representative Han Dong-hoon, and said, 'Blocking investment in future industries without reasonable grounds is nothing less than taking the future of Korea hostage.'
Kang further said, 'Everyone knows that Honam received the highest score in the semiconductor-specialized complex competition during the Yoon Seok-yeol government. I ask the People Power Party: Do you still have anything to say after this? The People Power Party should be ashamed and apologize immediately.'
Supreme Council Member Moon Jeong-bok said about the report meeting, 'This is a historic moment when the great transformation of national balanced development begins. I believe we only need to join forces and do our best.'
Supreme Council Member Park Gyu-hwan also said, 'Given the disappointment that Honam's long-cherished projects like Saemangeum and Gwangju military airport relocation have not been realized as expected, it is very gratifying that a semiconductor cluster will be created in Honam through large-scale private corporate investment.'
He continued, 'This is essential for national balanced development, which has become Korea's survival strategy. Moreover, it is a significant and profound response from the state for the special dedication and sacrifice of Honam, which has long been subject to discrimination and neglect despite its shining contribution to Korea's democratization.'
He said, 'I hope the People Power Party also stops picking unnecessary fights, engaging in divide-and-rule, and spreading demagoguery, and joins in locally-led growth. The party and government will work together in unison to ensure Honam leads locally-led growth and the AI transformation, dynamically changing and developing.'
