[Editorial] Environmental Group’s Defeat Over Yongin Industrial Complex Is a Fully Justified Outcome

An environmental group filed a lawsuit seeking to revoke approval for the Yongin Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, claiming that the plan lacked adequate measures to respond to the climate crisis, but lost the case on the 15th. The group argued that, in creating the Yongin Industrial Complex, there were flaws in calculating greenhouse gas emissions and in drawing up reduction plans as stipulated in the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth. However, the Seoul Administrative Court did not accept these arguments.
Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC), which brought the lawsuit, argued that the authorities had "failed to sufficiently address what kind of power supply structure should underpin an industrial complex that entails massive electricity demand." In other words, they claimed there was no proper plan for emissions reduction, such as the use of renewable energy. This aligns with recent assertions by some in the political sphere. It is unusual to see politicians and environmental groups acting in concert to take aim at the complex over power supply and greenhouse gas issues.
The Yongin Industrial Complex is a site chosen by the government and businesses after careful deliberation. The location of an industrial complex is decided by weighing a range of conditions, including transportation, environment, power supply, and industrial cooperation. It cannot be determined solely on the basis of power supply. The group that filed the lawsuit focused on greenhouse gases and power supply, in a manner reminiscent of how environmental organizations in the past fiercely opposed and protested against the construction of national infrastructure.
The court stated that "even if there are somewhat insufficient aspects in the climate impact assessment report, this alone does not render the approval of the industrial complex plan immediately unlawful." In other words, if the national benefits to be gained from building the complex are substantial, then some shortcomings on the environmental side do not amount to a violation of the law. This is a reasonable judgment.
The environment is an important value that must be protected for human life and happiness, but it is not the sole, absolute value that overrides everything else. If the environment were treated as the one inviolable, absolute value, the progress of civilization would be severely delayed. For example, if all coal-fired and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) power plants around the world were shut down over greenhouse gas concerns, it would trigger massive chaos. The Jeju Naval Base was built to serve the relatively greater purpose of national security over environmental considerations.
The amount of electricity required for the Yongin Industrial Complex is enormous, reaching a total of about 15 GW. The group argued that, while six LNG Power Plant units would be built for the complex and emit greenhouse gases, no effective reduction measures were presented. In essence, they are demanding that most of the power come from renewable energy, but solar and wind power plants cannot meet such a level of electricity demand. Nor are they likely to support the construction of nuclear power plants, which do not emit carbon.
Ultimately, this amounts to saying that the complex should not be built at all, which is neither acceptable nor understandable. Even if greenhouse gas reduction targets or standards cannot be fully met, the Yongin Industrial Complex must be constructed. For national development and economic growth, the Yongin semiconductor complex is a task that must be completed swiftly, even at the cost of sacrifices in some areas. Countries around the world are mobilizing all their national capabilities not only in the race to develop semiconductors but also in building semiconductor plants. They recognize that such projects are crucial to their national future. In Taiwan, for instance, power for semiconductor plants is secured even if it means restricting electricity for households.
There are hardly any countries where environmental groups try to hold back major construction projects that are vital to the nation’s fate, as is happening here. On the issue of greenhouse gases, Korea is trying to move ahead in an exceptionally zealous manner, aiming to become a model among model countries. While this is a path we must eventually take, we see no reason for Korea to voluntarily shoulder an excessive burden and take the lead on a global issue that entails enormous costs. The same logic applies to the construction of the Yongin Industrial Complex.