Five Yongin Civic Groups: "Stop Undermining the National Semiconductor Complex... We Will Mobilize 1.1 Million Citizens in Response"

Five Civic Groups Issue Joint Statement Urging Original Plan

Solidarity with Yongin Mayoral Candidate Lee Sangil to Defend the Project

"Yongin Is a Key Hub in the National Semiconductor Ecosystem"

"National Semiconductor Project Must Not Be Undermined by Political Debate"

Five civic organizations in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province have strongly criticized the controversy surrounding the "Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex" that has emerged from both certain parts of the government and the political sphere, urging the original plan to proceed as scheduled. Through a joint statement, they asserted, "Political debates that undermine the foundations of our nation's core industries must be stopped immediately."

The Yongin Resident Communication and Empathy Forum, Performance Loving Yongin, Chungbuk Hometown Association Federation, Chungcheong Golf Association, and the Korea Senior Citizens Association Giheung Branch, five civic organizations, jointly issued a "Statement for the Defense of Semiconductor Industry in Yongin" on the 19th. Provided by candidate Lee Sangil

They also expressed their intention to join forces with candidate Lee Sangil and support efforts to protect the semiconductor cluster.

Five civic organizations—including the Yongin City Resident Communication and Empathy Forum, the Performance Loving Yongin, the Chungbuk Homeland Association Federation, the Chungcheong Golf Club, and the Korea Senior Citizens Association Giheung Branch—jointly issued a "Declaration to Defend Yongin's Semiconductor Industry" on May 19.

In their statement, the groups emphasized, "The Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex is a centennial national project that will determine the future competitiveness of South Korea amid the ongoing global race for semiconductor supremacy." They continued, "We feel deep concern and anger over the project being delayed due to irresponsible political disputes and attempts to undermine it."

They further pointed out, "This is a national project that has already been confirmed after years of feasibility studies and consultations with relevant authorities," and added, "The current confusion fundamentally damages trust in industrial policy."

The civic groups also strongly criticized recent discussions over power supply issues and proposals to relocate the project to other regions.

In particular, regarding the delay in procedures related to the ultra-high voltage transmission line, they argued, "Delays in deciding on this critical infrastructure are jeopardizing the entire project timeline."

They also highlighted problems such as the organizational vacancy at Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), the project operator, and the suspension of the consultative body, stressing, "Administrative paralysis on the ground is increasing both harm and anxiety among residents."

They pointed out that the "public-private-government consultative body," which is a key institution for coordinating infrastructure development and compensation issues, has not convened even once for the past five months due to political debates over regional relocation.

As a future response, the civic groups announced plans to launch a citywide petition campaign. They emphasized, "We will mobilize every possible means together with 1.1 million citizens until the project is completed as originally planned."

They also called on the government to: ▲ stop discussions on regional relocation, ▲ implement the power infrastructure plan as scheduled, ▲ immediately restart the consultative body, and ▲ fulfill national support commitments.

Concluding their statement, they said, "Yongin is not just a site for local development but a central pillar of Korea's semiconductor industry. If this project is destabilized, the entire nation's competitiveness will be put at risk."

Five civic organizations, including the Yongin Resident Communication and Sympathy Forum, Love Yongin Performance, Chungbuk Hometown Association Federation, Chungcheong Golf Association, and the Korea Senior Citizens Association Giheung Branch, jointly issued a "Statement for the Defense of Yongin Semiconductor" on the 19th. Provided by candidate Sangil Lee

In response, candidate Lee Sangil stated, "I am grateful to the five civic organizations, including the Yongin City Resident Communication and Empathy Forum, for joining efforts to protect Yongin's semiconductor cluster. Together with citizens, we will resolutely oppose the ruling forces' attempts to undermine Yongin's semiconductor industry in ways that benefit China or Japan, and we will safeguard the future of Yongin and South Korea."

Candidate Lee further stated, "I will respond firmly to all forms of external interference and insist that we approach this not as a political debate, but as a matter of execution and implementation."

Meanwhile, the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex is currently in the process of land compensation and foundational construction, with ongoing discussions about the construction timeline and infrastructure development speed. As of now, the project has achieved 47% land compensation by value and 42% by area, marking a halfway point; however, there remain many obstacles to overcome.

Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), the project operator, has been experiencing a leadership vacancy for six months, causing decision-making bottlenecks in the awarding of contracts worth several hundred billion won.

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