South Korea's Honam Semiconductor Cluster Plans Spark Political Debate

The South Korean government is moving ahead with a proposal to establish a second semiconductor manufacturing cluster in the Honam region, extending the current concentration beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. President Yoon Seok‑yeol met with Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae‑yong and SK Hynix chairman Chey Tae‑won to discuss investment details, while the administration emphasizes the project’s role in regional development, job creation, and AI industry growth.

Opposition parties and former presidential secretary‑general Jung Jin‑seok have criticised the plan, arguing it unfairly concentrates resources in Honam at the expense of the Chung‑Cheong area. Jung warned that Honam’s limited water supply would require drawing water from Chung‑Cheong, a move he described as “regional division” and “unacceptable to locals.” Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party have called for a more balanced site selection, citing the need for equitable access to land, water, and talent across the country.