Lee calls for ‘blitzkrieg’ speed to build chip cluster near Gwangju

President Lee Jae Myung has urged for construction of a semiconductor cluster near the Gwangju air base to commence swiftly, aiming for a start as early as possible by mid-2028. During a recent review of three megaprojects, held at the Blue House, Lee expressed his desire for an accelerated pace, likening it to a "blitzkrieg." He emphasized the need to surpass time constraints and streamline procedures for permits and environmental assessments.

The Blue House plans to introduce special legislation to facilitate these projects and has already designated a portion of the Gwangju Air Base as a candidate site for the chip cluster. Officials are also exploring the possibility of designating additional sites nearby. The administration aims to begin construction or expansion of megaprojects this year, with investments totaling 246 trillion won in the Chungcheong provinces and another 107 trillion won in the southeastern Yeongnam region.

The meeting also touched on water supply solutions using recycled wastewater and ensuring a steady power supply. While there are reports of differing opinions among government ministries regarding potential exceptions to the 52-hour workweek limit for the megaprojects, the administration is open to dialogue with local communities and labor unions to address this matter.