Mayor Park Gwanyeol Holds Solo Protest in Front of Blue House: "Semiconductor Industry and Gwangju Must Thrive Together"

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"We are not trying to block the construction of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex. We are asking for the future of Gwangju to be secured alongside the success of the semiconductor industry."

Park Gwanyeol, mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province, is conducting a solo protest in front of the Blue House on the 9th. Provided by Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province

Park Gwanyul, Mayor of Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, launched a one-person protest in front of the Blue House on September 9, 2026. His message is that since Gwangju City is actively cooperating with the development of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, the central government should also provide substantial support measures that match the burdens and sacrifices of Gwangju’s residents.

The integrated water supply project for the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex is a national infrastructure initiative involving the installation of a water pipeline stretching approximately 47 kilometers. Of the total length, over half — about 27 kilometers — is set to pass through the Gwangju region.

Gwangju City has expressed its intention to cooperate with the project for the success of South Korea’s national strategic semiconductor industry. However, the city also maintains that with a large-scale water pipeline traversing the region, the central government must present win-win measures to address potential inconveniences and burdens for local residents.

On this day, Mayor Park called on the government to construct 30,000 AI-based smart public housing units, create additional national industrial complexes, and attract AI and semiconductor R&D facilities as well as high-tech companies.

He also urged the establishment of an inter-agency consultative body, state support for regions affected by the water pipeline, the cultivation of semiconductor professionals and job creation linked to the region, and improvements to the overlapping regulatory restrictions around Paldang Lake.

Mayor Park stated, "Gwangju is ready to actively cooperate for the success of the Korean semiconductor industry. However, sacrifices cannot be demanded of Gwangju residents solely because this is a national project."

He continued, "We need concrete win-win measures that will foster simultaneous growth in industry, business, jobs, and housing. I will continue discussions with the government to ensure Gwangju does not become merely a passageway or a region of sacrifice due to the water pipeline, and we will strongly demand necessary measures."

This was not Mayor Park’s first one-person protest. After holding a similar protest as mayor-elect in front of Samsung Electronics’ headquarters on June 17, he also protested in front of Samsung Seocho Building in Seocho-gu, Seoul on June 19, urging both the government and businesses to come up with substantial win-win strategies.

Park Gwanyeol, Mayor of Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province, is conducting a solo protest in front of the Samsung Seocho Building in Seocho-gu, Seoul on June 19. Provided by Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province

At the time, Mayor Park said, "I am willing to actively support national policies to strengthen the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry. However, I can never agree with policies that demand unilateral sacrifice from the residents of Gwangju." He criticized the government and business for failing to present adequate win-win measures, considering the burdens that Gwangju City would have to bear due to the integrated water supply project for the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex.

Continuing his one-person protest from Samsung Electronics to the Blue House, Mayor Park once again emphasized his position that Gwangju will cooperate for the success of the national semiconductor industry but will not accept unilateral sacrifice from its residents.

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