[President Lee Jae-myung Presides Over 2nd Review Meeting on 3 Major Mega Projects]

On the 10th, the '2nd Public-Private Joint Review Meeting on 3 Major Mega Projects' will be held at Cheong Wa Dae, presided over by President Lee Jae-myung. Officials from relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, as well as representatives from major semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, will attend the meeting. They will focus on discussing the progress, challenges, and support measures for large-scale industrial projects.

[Special Act on Mega Special Zones and Labor Deregulation Emerge as Key Issues]

The core issue of this meeting is the 'Special Act for the Establishment of Mega Special Zones.' The bill is expected to include a comprehensive package of fiscal, financial, tax, talent, infrastructure, technology startup, and institutional support measures for the three major mega projects, including the Honam Semiconductor Cluster.

In particular, a provision for labor deregulation that would exempt R&D personnel within mega special zones from the 52-hour workweek cap was included in the draft, bringing differences in positions among government ministries to the surface. The key challenge is coordinating between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which emphasizes the need for flexible working hours, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which takes a cautious stance citing the existing special extended work system.

[800 Trillion Won Investment in Honam Region and Gwangju Military Airbase Relocation Task]

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix announced plans at a public briefing on June 29 to invest a total of 800 trillion won, 400 trillion won each, in the Honam region to build four semiconductor fabs. At the previous first review meeting, the Gwangju military airbase area was confirmed as the site for the Honam semiconductor industrial complex, and President Lee called for swift implementation without administrative delays. At that time, measures to secure infrastructure such as power and water supply, as well as issues related to licensing and permitting procedures, were also discussed.

In this second meeting, early relocation plans for the Gwangju military airbase and land compensation issues related to the construction of 10 fabs within the Yongin semiconductor cluster will be on the main agenda. Discussions will also take place on practical support measures requested by semiconductor companies for industrial complex development, including support for ancillary facilities, regulatory easing, and streamlined licensing procedures.

Regarding the relocation of the Gwangju military airbase, shortening administrative procedures and resolving the issue of military function relocation are the biggest challenges. Coordination of military operational functions, including the relocation of the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing, is necessary, and differences among local governments remain. Between the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and Muan County, conditions such as relocating Gwangju Civil Airport to Muan International Airport, 1 trillion won in support from the central government and the special city, and the provision of national-level incentives are being proposed.

In line with President Lee Jae-myung's emphasis on the importance of inter-regional cooperation in implementing national policies, expressed at a recent Cabinet meeting, this meeting is expected to explore multifaceted solutions to accelerate project implementation.