Mayor Lee Sang-il: "Need to Accelerate Semiconductor Complex... Opposes Gyeonggi Tax Revenue Sharing"

Mayor Lee Sang-il Appears on YTN Radio's "Wise Radio Life"

Outlines Semiconductor Projects and Transportation Infrastructure Plans

Samsung Aims to Begin Operations of First Fab in 2029... Expanding Transport Networks

"It Is Crucial to Move Quickly to Maintain Leadership in Memory Semiconductors"

"Tax Revenue Earned Through Residents' Sacrifice Should Not Be Taken by Gyeonggi Province"

Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We must accelerate the establishment of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex to maintain our lead in memory semiconductors, which is the best in the world."

Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sang-il appeared on YTN Radio's Wise Radio Life on the 24th to explain the progress of the semiconductor national industrial complex project and plans to expand the transportation network. Provided by Yongin City

On August 24, during his appearance on YTN Radio's "Wise Radio Life," Mayor Lee explained, "As controversy surrounding the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, which began last December, has subsided, both the semiconductor projects in Gwangju and Yongin are now set to move forward at a faster pace."

Regarding Samsung Electronics' Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, Mayor Lee said, "The public bid for site preparation was initially expected in January, but due to uncertainties surrounding the industrial complex, it was delayed until July. Now, with compensation nearly complete, construction of the site must begin by the end of this year."

Samsung Electronics plans to bring forward the start of operations for the first fab (semiconductor manufacturing plant) in the national industrial complex from 2030 to the second half of 2029, one year earlier than originally scheduled. Mayor Lee emphasized, "The government must resolve conflicts surrounding power transmission and ensure that the supply of electricity and water proceeds as planned."

SK hynix is currently building four fabs in the Wonsam-myeon area of Cheoin-gu, within the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. The initial completion target of 2045 has been advanced by 12 years to 2033. Mayor Lee added, "By February next year, half of the first fab will be complete, and by around October next year, we expect to be able to export HBM 6th and 7th generation products."

Mayor Lee pointed out, "Semiconductors account for more than 35% of South Korea's exports," and stressed, "Production capacity must be expanded rapidly to respond to the explosive growth in demand." He also asserted, "The government should designate the Yongin area, which was selected as a national high-tech strategic industry specialized complex in 2023, as a semiconductor cluster under the Special Act on Semiconductor Support."

He also outlined plans to expand transportation networks supporting the semiconductor industry. The 12.5-kilometer section of National Road No. 45, from Daechon Intersection to Jangseo Intersection in Anseong, passing through the national industrial complex, will be expanded from four lanes to eight lanes. This project has been exempted from the preliminary feasibility study, and a recent design-build tender has been announced.

In the rail sector, efforts are underway to extend the Gyeonggang Line from Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province to the Yongin National Industrial Complex, and to incorporate the 50.7-kilometer South Gyeonggi Metropolitan Railway—connecting Jamsil in Seoul, Pangyo in Seongnam, Suji in Yongin, Gwanggyo in Suwon, and Bongdam in Hwaseong—into the fifth National Railroad Network Construction Plan.

Mayor Lee said, "Based on the Gyeonggang Line extension, we will also realize the Central Region Metropolitan Express Railway (JTX), which connects Jamsil in Seoul, the Yongin National Industrial Complex, Anseong, Jincheon, and Cheongju Airport."

He added, "The Sinbong-Dongbaek Line was included in the second Gyeonggi-do Urban Rail Network Construction Plan in December last year. Seongbok-dong will connect to Seongbok Station on the Shinbundang Line, Guseong Station will link to the Suin-Bundang Line and GTX-A, and Dongbaek will connect to the EverLine light rail. Based on the planned opening of the Sinbong-Dongbaek Line, a preliminary feasibility study has also been commissioned for the Eonnam-Dongcheon Line, which has shown strong economic viability with a score of 1.23. Since these are projects that our residents truly want, we are pursuing them early with a focus on maximizing economic viability," he explained.

Mayor Lee made clear his opposition to Gyeonggi Province's corporate local income tax revenue sharing initiative.

He remarked, "The city of Yongin has made significant efforts for the semiconductor projects, and our residents have endured inconveniences. It is unimaginable that Gyeonggi Province would now seek to take the resulting tax revenue."

He continued, "The increased tax revenue from the semiconductor industry should be invested in Yongin's welfare, education, culture, the arts, and future infrastructure. Gyeonggi Province should reduce unnecessary cash grants and, in consultation with the central government, seek other ways to secure resources, such as converting to a special assistance group."

Mayor Lee also shared recent achievements from his visit to Da Nang, Vietnam. During the Korea-Vietnam festival, he announced Yongin's semiconductor investment plans—KRW 600 trillion by SK hynix and KRW 360 trillion by Samsung Electronics—as well as Yongin's artificial intelligence-driven public administration projects, such as smart crosswalks and AI robots for elderly care.

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