[Interview] "A Control Tower for Infrastructure Is Essential to Support National Strategic Industries" [Infrastructure: From Construction to Renewal] ⑧

Song Seokjun of the People Power Party
Proposes Framework Act on Infrastructure for Long-term, Nationwide Management
"Budget Waste from Failed Demand Forecasts and Redundant Investments Is Severe"
"It Is Time to Upgrade the Concept of Infrastructure"

"When infrastructure related to energy, telecommunications, water resources, and various high-tech industries is managed by separate ministries, inefficiencies often arise due to a lack of coordination. This can create blind spots or, conversely, result in wasted resources from redundant investments. We need a control tower that examines the overall context, coordinates, and deliberates collectively."

Song Seokjun, a member of the People Power Party, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Song Seokjun, a member of the People Power Party, explained the motivation behind proposing the National Infrastructure Framework Act in a recent interview with The Asia Business Daily. In April, Assemblyman Song, together with Myungsoo Son, a member of the Democratic Party, jointly sponsored the Framework Act on Infrastructure. The legislation aims to establish a long-term, nationwide strategy for infrastructure while introducing an assessment system to prioritize investments. It encompasses not only traditional infrastructure such as roads, railways, and water and sewage systems, but also infrastructure related to high-tech industries like semiconductors and data centers. The key objective is to take a broad view and coordinate infrastructure across the country, which has often been fragmented by existing individual laws or responsible entities. Recognizing that infrastructure is directly linked to public safety and is now closely connected to national competitiveness, the bill is being developed in collaboration with expert groups such as the Korean Society of Civil Engineers. Song stressed the importance of creating a control tower that transcends ministerial silos by identifying cases ranging from aging infrastructure to failures in demand forecasting. The following is a Q&A.

-What motivated you to propose the Framework Act on Infrastructure?

▲Due to the climate crisis, disasters now occur frequently, and issues such as population decline, the disappearance of local regions, and international competition for technological supremacy have become intricately intertwined with infrastructure, both directly and indirectly. Although infrastructure management is directly tied to national competitiveness, the current siloed, facility- or ministry-based management system has frequently led to inefficient decision-making. As seen in recent incidents, many aging infrastructure assets, which are directly linked to public safety and quality of life, remain in regulatory blind spots. Failures in demand forecasting and redundant investments leading to wasted budgets also occur frequently. For instance, while the predicted demand for the Yongin Light Rail was estimated at 160,000, the actual number amounted to only 60,000. Uijeongbu and Busan-Gimhae light rails are in similar situations. The Framework Act on Infrastructure is intended to serve as a parent law that establishes the highest principles and management systems for infrastructure nationwide, not just for individual ministries’ projects.

-There is a growing view that the concept of infrastructure has changed over time. What is your take?

▲Traditional social overhead capital (SOC) built in the past played a key role in Korea's growth. While some argue that SOC investment should be reduced, I believe, given dramatic shifts in industrial conditions at home and abroad, it is time to upgrade the very concept of infrastructure so that it can support our core strategic industries. It is also necessary to expand traditional transportation, communications, and energy infrastructure to boost the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry. In fact, semiconductors themselves serve as infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. A highly developed semiconductor industry enables all sectors to advance technologically. As infrastructure needs diversify and evolve through the integration of new technologies, without a control tower, ministry- or agency-centered compartmentalization may lead to overlapping and inefficient investments. To address this, the bill reflects the establishment of a National Infrastructure Committee that includes outside experts and grants it substantial authority.

-While there is consensus on the need to improve aging infrastructure, how can priorities be set?

▲Budget investments in infrastructure are generally decided based on cost-benefit analysis. However, it is difficult to claim that the current methods for determining the effectiveness and priority of such investments—whether for building new facilities or evaluating the aging of existing ones—are fully transparent and objective. For example, if water and sewage facilities in different regions have similar levels of deterioration but only one location can be funded, the committee should engage in a public review process and conduct careful analyses to identify the optimal solution. With the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and drones, infrastructure assessment methods have become far more sophisticated than before. If the committee is established, not only civil engineers but also experts in high-tech fields will join its ranks.

-Isn’t there a risk that a control tower would be ineffective without real authority?

▲Typically, decisions are too often based on the positions of powerful ministries rather than objective evidence. The Framework Act on Infrastructure calls for an infrastructure committee directly under the President, and the Prime Minister will be tasked with bridging differences between ministries and ensuring budgetary execution. In addition, the structure ensures independence and objectivity by having a majority made up of civilian experts, free from political influence. When the government prepares budgets or fund operation plans, it must give priority to the investment priority list devised by the Infrastructure Committee. If not, a reason must be provided, and if the reasoning is insufficient, the committee can request a review. The committee will also be able to make recommendations regarding medium- and long-term funding plans and will have the authority to deliberate and mediate if conflicts arise over funding allocation. While recognizing the inherent roles of fiscal authorities, the aim is to build a cooperative decision-making process. There have been many cases where conflicts—such as local government resistance—have delayed infrastructure projects, so organs to resolve such disputes can also be created.

-What legislative steps remain?

▲The bill has currently been referred to the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. Once agreement on committee assignments between the parties is reached, it will be put on the committee’s agenda and then passed on to the legislative subcommittee. In addition, a public hearing to gather further input is anticipated at the end of next month or early September. Since last year, we have been holding forums on major issues such as climate change and carbon neutrality. At the public hearing, the goal is to gather input and revise the bill through discussions among ministries, experts, and stakeholders, ultimately aiming to ensure passage by the National Assembly within this year at the latest.

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