South Korea's Minister Kim Sung-hwan Announces Power‑Grid Investment and Water‑Reuse Plan for Semiconductor Industry

South Korean Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan outlined a dual push to expand the nation’s power infrastructure and secure water supplies for high‑tech manufacturing. The government will invest heavily in the electricity grid, including high‑voltage direct‑current (HVDC) lines, renewable‑energy integration, nuclear‑power support and a new industrial resource‑security fund aimed at diversifying oil and mineral imports. The 2030 target of 100 GW of renewable capacity will be backed by relaxed solar and wind regulations and incentives for domestic equipment.

At the same time, prosecutors conducted raids on seven petro‑chemical firms, including LG Chem and Hanwha Solutions, over alleged price‑fixing of PVC, plasticizers and other products. The Fair Trade Commission also announced a focus on chemical‑product collusion investigations.

Separately, Kim visited the Gwangju 1st Wastewater Treatment Plant and pledged to develop a system that can recycle up to 300,000 tons of wastewater per day for use as industrial water in the Honam‑region semiconductor complex. The plan aims to mitigate water‑supply risks for the semiconductor sector and improve the Yeongsan River’s water quality. The initiative aligns with new legislation on water‑reuse that will take effect in December.