Cho Eung-chun Visits Samsung Electronics: "Forcing Semiconductor Relocation to Provinces Will Drive Companies Overseas"

Jo Eungchun, Reform New Party Gyeonggi Governor Candidate, Visits Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus on May 18

"Semiconductors Are a People-Driven, Ecosystem Industry... Political Logic Must Not Intervene"

Lee Junseok: "You Can't Keep Trying to Cook the Goose That Lays Golden Eggs"

Jo Eungchun, the Reform New Party candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province, criticized the government's enforcement ordinance for the Special Semiconductor Act on May 18, stating, "If semiconductor factories are forcibly relocated to non-metropolitan areas based on political logic, companies may choose to move overseas rather than to other domestic regions."

During his visit to the Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, on the same day, Jo emphasized the importance of the metropolitan semiconductor cluster, noting, "Semiconductors are not merely a manufacturing industry but an ecosystem industry that moves together with talent, universities, and partner companies."

The event was attended by Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, Jeon Seonggyun, Reform New Party candidate for Hwaseong Mayor, Park Seunghee, President and Head of Corporate Relations at Samsung Electronics, Heo Gilyoung, Executive Vice President of the DS Finance Team, and Choi Seunghoon, Executive Vice President of External Relations, among others.

On the 18th, Jo Eungchun, Governor candidate for Gyeonggi Province from the Reform New Party (third from the left in the photo), and Lee Jun-seok, the party leader (fifth from the left), took a commemorative photo with Samsung Electronics officials at the Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus. Photo by Woo Su-yeon

Jo also raised concerns about the government's enforcement ordinance for the Special Semiconductor Act, which only allows the establishment of new semiconductor industrial complexes in non-metropolitan areas. He stated, "If it is limited to non-metropolitan areas, it essentially means excluding Gyeonggi Province. I am surprised that, following the land transaction permit system, the government now wants to introduce a semiconductor production permit system."

Jo went on to say, "The notion that as long as there is electricity and water, companies and talent will inevitably move to remote areas where industrial complexes are built is overly simplistic and shows a lack of understanding. The semiconductor industry is a people-driven and ecosystem industry; it is not simply about building factories."

Jo also referenced a statement made in the past by President Lee Jaemyung during his tenure as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, saying, "At the time, President Lee also stated, 'If political logic is imposed on business activities, companies will not move to the provinces but will instead leave the country.' The enforcement ordinance for the Special Semiconductor Act under the Lee Jaemyung administration could, in effect, become an 'enforcement ordinance for corporate exodus.'

Regarding labor-management conflict at Samsung Electronics, Jo stated, "A broad strategy is needed for sharing Samsung's enormous profits not only with workers, but also with shareholders, partner companies, and the local community."

He further emphasized, "It is necessary to create a framework in which performance-based distribution can occur annually and for negotiations to take place within that structure. Labor and management must consider together what the future will look like for Samsung Electronics and the Korean semiconductor industry over the next ten years."

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party and representative for the Hwaseong-eul constituency in Gyeonggi Province, also joined in criticizing the Democratic Party government's approach to decentralizing the semiconductor industry. He remarked, "Some people seem to think that, just because there is a goose that lays golden eggs, they should keep trying to cook it. That is the wrong approach. Proposing to move a few geese to other regions is irresponsible."

He continued, "It is important to create an environment in which companies can be stably established within the industrial axis that connects Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Yongin. For political reasons, we cannot forcibly relocate companies and the industrial ecosystem."

Addressing the labor-management conflict at Samsung Electronics, Lee stated, "Under no circumstances should the company's competitiveness be compromised by internal conflict. I hope that labor and management will continue their dialogue based on the fundamental principle of maintaining competitiveness."

He also added, "Samsung has operated an advanced compensation system among domestic companies thus far. To maintain its technological lead and global competitiveness, it must continue to find ways to attract top talent from both Korea and abroad."

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