Overview
- President Lee has called for a dramatic expansion of large‑scale semiconductor and AI investment outside the capital and said he will soon publish a detailed blueprint for the plan.
- Lee held a high‑level meeting with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae‑yong to discuss regional chip‑cluster plans, including potential development in the southwestern Honam region.
- Local media have reported that Samsung may announce up to about 1,000 trillion won in investment over 10 years, including roughly 300 trillion won for southwestern chip factories, but those figures remain unconfirmed.
- The presidential office has scheduled a public‑private meeting and a public briefing on three 'mega‑projects' where companies and officials are expected to discuss regional allocations and possible government support.
- Background: a Yongin semiconductor cluster is already under construction, Samsung’s HBM4 sales recently topped US$1 billion, and a special semiconductor competitiveness law due in August could speed permits and shape where projects are built.