President Lee: "Samsung's HBM to Boost Chungcheong's Advanced Industry Status... Lee Jayong's Decision to Lead a New Leap"

Congratulatory Address at the National Report Meeting on the Vision for the Development of the Advanced Industry in Chungcheong

Lee: "The Balanced Development Path Opened by Chungcheong Is Korea's Survival Strategy"

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On July 2, President Lee Jae-myung stated that "the status of the Chungcheong region as a hub for advanced industries will be further strengthened" in light of large-scale investments by companies such as Samsung's decision to produce high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in the region. His plan is to link the Chungcheong region's advanced industrial ecosystem with the nation's semiconductor competitiveness—a key infrastructure in the era of artificial intelligence (AI)—and foster it as a new axis of growth beyond the concentration in the greater Seoul area.

President Lee Jae-myung is giving a congratulatory speech at the National Report Meeting on the Vision for the Development of Advanced Industries in the Chungcheong Region held on the 2nd in Asan, Chungnam Province. Photo by Cheongwadae Press Corps. Yonhap News Agency

In his congratulatory speech at the "National Report Meeting on the Vision for the Development of Advanced Industries in the Chungcheong Region," held in Asan, Chungnam Province, and involving a total investment of 392 trillion won, President Lee said, "The investment plans announced today do not merely mean the expansion of corporate production facilities into the Chungcheong region." He described the plans as "a promise of trust to fundamentally shift the paradigm of growth toward a better future, and a bold declaration for the potential of the Republic of Korea."

During the event, Samsung, SK hynix, and Celltrion announced large-scale investment plans as part of efforts to foster advanced industries in the Chungcheong region. President Lee expressed his high appreciation for the companies' investment decisions, saying, "On behalf of the people, I thank you for your bold decisions." He also addressed Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong specifically, saying, "It reminded me of the historic moment in 1983 when the late Chairman Lee Byung-chul declared Samsung's entry into the semiconductor industry in Tokyo."

He continued, "Just as the foresight shown on that day turned Korea into a semiconductor powerhouse, I am confident that Chairman Lee's decision today will lead a new leap forward in Korea's advanced industries." While he had previously described the investments by Samsung and SK as a "national decision" at a report meeting in the southwestern region, at the Chungcheong event he highlighted Samsung's HBM production decision as a strategic turning point in the AI semiconductor competition.

President Lee also emphasized that the Chungcheong region is a cluster for the four major advanced industries in the AI era. He said, "Semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, and bio are the four core strategic industries that will determine Korea's future in the AI era. This region, Chungcheong, is where these four advanced industries are clustered together, forming a powerful ecosystem."

President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the National Report Meeting on the Vision for the Development of High-Tech Industries in the Chungcheong Region, held on the 2nd in Asan, Chungnam. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also referenced the existing industrial base and research capabilities of the Chungcheong region. He said, "Chungcheong already possesses world-class manufacturing sites, excellent research institutions, and talented professionals. If corporate strategic investment is combined with the government's steadfast commitment, Chungcheong will rise not only as the center of Korea's advanced industries but also as a global hub of innovation leading the AI era."

President Lee underscored the urgency of fostering advanced industries, noting that the global economy is being reorganized around AI. He explained, "AI has become an essential language for securing industrial competitiveness, and data collected in the field is now being reborn as the raw material for new industries. Advanced manufacturing capabilities and AI utilization are both national power and economic power, as well as security strength and a key indicator of national competitiveness."

He added, "Depending on who industrializes technology faster and who builds a stronger ecosystem and talent base, one can become the leader enjoying infinite opportunities or become a follower exposed to the risk of decline." His perspective is that, in the age of AI transformation, regional industrial ecosystems that combine semiconductors, manufacturing, data, and a talent base are at the core of national competitiveness.

President Lee linked the fostering of advanced industries in Chungcheong with his balanced regional development strategy. He said, "Here in Chungcheong lies the dream and hope of balanced national development. The urgent journey to break the vicious cycle of overconcentration in the metropolitan area and the extinction of local regions—and to reopen the gates of growth for all of Korea—began here in Chungcheong." He continued, "The path of balanced development pioneered by Chungcheong is Korea's survival strategy, and the path toward becoming a powerhouse in advanced industries led by Chungcheong is Korea's future."

He also expressed the government's commitment to support. President Lee said, "We will never miss this significant opportunity to unify regional development centers and advanced industry hubs. The government will actively provide support using every available means so that the decisions made by companies can bear fruit."

President Lee added, "Through Chungcheong, we will make the grand transformation to region-led growth, where the five major regions and three special zones each build independent industrial ecosystems and develop through competition. We will create a new chapter in Korea's history as a super-gap industrial powerhouse, where young people and talent flock to the regions seeking jobs and all citizens and territories benefit equally from growth."

President Lee Jae-myung is performing the national ceremony at the Chungcheong Region Advanced Industry Development Vision Public Report held on the 2nd in Asan City, Chungcheongnam-do. From left, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; President Lee Jae-myung; Seo Jung-jin, Chairman of Celltrion; and Kwak No-jung, CEO of SK hynix. Photo by the Blue House Press Photographers Group. Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, before his congratulatory speech, President Lee proactively refuted claims that the government had twisted corporate arms to induce large-scale investments. He said, "Some people have the outdated notion that I pressured Chairman Lee into making such a decision at Samsung Electronics. It's an old-fashioned idea to think that things can be forced the way they were during the days of government-led administration," he criticized.

He also addressed the perception that corporate investments are being distributed to local regions, saying, "Companies should cluster in regions with higher efficiency. This investment is not about handing out gifts. If politicians blindly go along with that logic, will the local area really develop?" he pointed out.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.