Lee: "Additional Semiconductor Tax Revenue to Be Invested in Future, Youth, Regions, and Education Through Future Response Fund"

President Lee Jae-myung Attends National Fiscal Strategy Meeting on the 13th
Pledges Support for Youth in Jobs, Housing, and Asset Building
"Strengthening the Social Safety Net to a 'Social Safety Mat'"

On July 13, President Lee Jae-myung addressed the additional tax revenue resulting from the semiconductor boom, stating, "This is a valuable resource that should be used during the golden time when global artificial intelligence (AI) leadership is being decided." He added, "We will establish a Future Response Fund to concentrate investments in the four key areas that will determine the nation's future: the future itself, youth, regional development, and education."

At the '2026 National Fiscal Strategy Meeting' held at the State Guest House of the Blue House on this day, President Lee announced, "We will utilize the large-scale additional tax revenue as a strategic investment resource for future response." He continued, "Through this effort, we aim to enhance the potential for economic growth and return the benefits to all citizens. To achieve this, a strategic investment platform that guarantees bold and continuous investment is required. The Future Response Fund will serve this function," he emphasized.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting held at the Blue House on July 13, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Fiscal Strategy Meeting is where the government determines the basic direction of fiscal management and priority areas for investment before formulating the budget for the following year. It also addresses the five-year fiscal management plan, management of mandatory spending, and restructuring measures. This was also President Lee's first domestic engagement after his overseas trip.

President Lee went on to say, "We will turn the three major mega projects into new opportunities for our economy," adding, "The government will mobilize all its capabilities to provide focused support so that investments in the semiconductor, physical AI, and AI data center sectors can proceed as scheduled by companies." He further explained, "Stable supply of essential resources such as electricity and water is a basic requirement, and we will also establish living conditions, including transportation and innovation infrastructure, to create new key hubs in Korea."

In addition, President Lee stated, "For young people taking their first steps into society, we will prepare a comprehensive support system that covers employment, housing, and asset formation throughout the life cycle." He also mentioned, "We will further strengthen the social safety net to the level of a social safety mat so that even non-standard workers, whose numbers will inevitably increase in the AI era, can be fully protected without any gaps."

Regarding next year's budget proposal, President Lee said, "The 2027 budget proposal will be the first budget that is entirely designed by our government from the planning stage," underscoring, "We must ensure that next year's budget proposal fully incorporates measures to support our bold vision of an irreplaceable Korea."

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