[Semiconductor Special Mission] Breathless Political and Government Circles... Continuing Intense Study Mode, Then Legislation and Fieldwork

Attending Lectures by Ministry of Education and Ministry of Employment and Labor... People Power Party Holds Semiconductor Special Committee Launch and Discusses at Pyeongtaek Factory

On the 14th, at the People Power Party's members' meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, is giving a special lecture on semiconductors. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Baek Kyunghwan, Lee Junhyung, Kwon Hyunji] As President Yoon Seok-yeol continues to emphasize the importance of the semiconductor industry, a 'semiconductor fever' is spreading not only within government agencies but also across the political sphere. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, both facing urgent pressure, along with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, have consecutively arranged semiconductor lectures and entered 'intensive study mode.' In the political arena, the People Power Party has announced large-scale legislative support.

According to related ministries on the 20th, the Ministry of Education recently held a special lecture at the Government Complex Sejong, inviting semiconductor experts including Professor Hwang Cheol-seong, Chair Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University. All directors and bureau chiefs of the Ministry of Education attended in person, while about 400 employees participated online. This is the first time the Ministry of Education has conducted a semiconductor special lecture on such a scale.

On the day of the special lecture, the Ministry of Education's 'Semiconductor Task Force' also began full-scale operations. Previously, to accelerate semiconductor talent development, the Ministry of Education formed a 'Special Team for Semiconductor and Advanced Industry Talent Development,' led by Vice Minister Jang Sang-yoon as team leader. The special team operates as a public-private joint body, consisting of seven related ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Employment and Labor, as well as industry and research institutions. The special team plans to announce the 'Support Plan for Semiconductor and Advanced Industry Talent Development' as early as next month and will begin full-scale support for the semiconductor ecosystem.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor, responsible for jobs, is in a similar situation. On the 15th, the Ministry held a lecture for employees at the manager level and above, inviting semiconductor experts from SK Hynix. Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-sik also held a meeting with the semiconductor industry after the lecture to listen to employment difficulties.

Related ministries such as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries are also preparing semiconductor lectures one after another. The Ministry of Environment recently requested the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association to recommend multiple experts for semiconductor lectures. The Ministry of Environment is considering conducting semiconductor lectures in the form of job training starting early next month.

In the political sphere, the People Power Party has joined the drive by launching the Semiconductor Industry Support Special Committee. The committee plans to focus on the critical issue of the absolute shortage of semiconductor personnel, support for facility investment, and measures to resolve major regulations. Seong Il-jong, chairman of the People Power Party Policy Committee, revealed the blueprint, stating, "We are preparing the semiconductor special committee as a model involving government, public, and industry," and that they will focus discussions on ▲semiconductor personnel ▲R&D (research and development) ▲infrastructure ▲tax support.

Efforts to prepare legislative measures that will serve as practical alternatives are also accelerating. Assemblyman Bae Jun-young proposed a 'Special Act to Amend the Restriction of Special Taxation Act' aimed at tripling the tax credit rate for semiconductor facility investments, and the party is also preparing supplementary legislation for the Semiconductor Special Act (National Advanced Strategic Industry Special Act).

Especially, at the People Power Party members' meeting held on the 14th, after listening to a semiconductor lecture by Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho, party members expressed their commitment to 'intensive semiconductor study.' A first-term lawmaker who attended the lecture said, "Since President Yoon has expressed his will regarding the specific semiconductor industry, the National Assembly also needs at least a basic understanding for situation awareness and legislative support," adding, "Through the special lecture, I understood that the system for training high-level personnel is severely lacking, so I can support reflecting this in bills and budgets." A third-term lawmaker also said, "I have become aware of the importance of semiconductors and the need to pay attention. In that sense, it is much better to hold special lectures than not to."

The lawmakers' on-site activities continue as well. Park Sung-joong, a People Power Party lawmaker and ruling party floor whip of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, will visit the Pyeongtaek semiconductor site on the 22nd with committee members who applied for the committee. Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT is also expected to join. In a phone interview, Rep. Park said, "After directly inspecting the wafer site, we plan to discuss semiconductor issues with the company executives," adding, "We will look into what support can be provided from the National Assembly in terms of budget and promotion of science and technology."

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