Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan mentioned on the 12th about the location of the Honam Semiconductor Cluster, “The government initially suggested the site to the companies.” During a full committee meeting of the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee (referred to as the Committee) at the National Assembly that day, Minister Kim stated, “There was no influence from the government or the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in choosing Gwangju,” while making this comment.
On that day, the opposition party sought information regarding the selection process for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster. Kim Do-eup, a representative from the People Power Party, questioned, “Was the decision to set up the semiconductor investment hub in Honam made by Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix?” and continued, “Wasn’t it decided by the minister or this president?” In response, Minister Kim stated, “The government suggested several locations, and the final choice was made by the companies.” However, when Representatives Woo Jae-jun and Seo Ji-young inquired about other potential sites besides Gwangju, Minister Kim did not give specific responses.
Concerning the “lightning war” objective of finishing the first phase of the semiconductor factory at the Gwangju military airport site by 2029, Minister Kim also mentioned, “From the viewpoint of the minister responsible for industry, manufacturing, and semiconductors, I think 2029 and 2030 are slow.” When questioned by People Power Party Representative Park Sung-min about the feasibility of the goal, Minister Kim responded, “If we don’t do this, we will lose our semiconductor competitiveness,” and made that statement.
Minister Kim also mentioned that talks are ongoing regarding the exemption of the Honam Semiconductor Cluster from the 52-hour workweek policy. When asked by Representative Kim Won-i of the Democratic Party of Korea about relaxing working hour rules within the mega special zone, Minister Kim stated, “We are considering several options, including the white-collar exemption (a system that eases working hour regulations for high-income professionals) and the existing flexible working hour system,” and noted, “We are actively discussing this with the industry, labor groups, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor.”
However, on the same day, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon, who was present at the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee, remarked, “We need to handle the exemption of the 52-hour workweek policy with care.” Minister Kim Young-hoon mentioned, “We will explore options that safeguard workers and boost business efficiency,” but emphasized, “The government has not yet decided on the exemption of the 52-hour workweek system.”
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