President Lee Thanks Hyundai Motor’s Bold Decision, Vows ‘More Aggressive Government Support’

[The Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung on the 27th praised Hyundai Motor Group’s decision to make a large-scale investment at the Saemangeum Robotics, Hydrogen and AI City Investment Agreement Signing Ceremony, saying, "By placing its trust in the government, the group has made a very bold decision that could entail considerable risk at the corporate level." He added, "On behalf of the Korean people, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude," and pledged, "In response to companies’ difficult decisions, the government will answer with even more aggressive support."
In his congratulatory address at the ceremony held at GSCO in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, President Lee identified overconcentration in the Seoul metropolitan area as a key obstacle to South Korea’s growth. He warned, "The regions are fading away, while the Seoul metropolitan area is bursting at the seams and could, in a sense, collapse," stressing that "one of the biggest goals of this administration is balanced regional development."
President Lee pointed to corporate investment in the regions as the solution for balanced development. "No matter how much the government talks, that alone will not change reality. In the end, people must be able to make a living in the regions," he said, emphasizing that "this is not something the government can do alone; companies need to establish a presence in the regions." He went on to note, "From the perspective of businesses, they may want to relocate to regional areas, but there is a shortage of people, and conditions are inconvenient and unstable," while once again expressing deep appreciation to Hyundai Motor Group for deciding to invest despite these challenges.
President Lee also highlighted Saemangeum’s locational advantages. "Saemangeum boasts a vast site about 140 times the size of Yeouido and abundant sunshine, and its logistics and transportation infrastructure is being steadily strengthened," he said. "If Hyundai Motor Group’s capacity for innovation is combined with these rich resources, I believe Saemangeum can become a land of opportunity that generates optimal synergies."
Regarding the new investment, President Lee outlined a vision to convert Saemangeum’s wind and sunlight into clean energy and green hydrogen, and to supply this to nearby industrial complexes. He added that, based on this eco-friendly energy, a large-scale robot manufacturing plant and parts cluster, as well as an AI data center, will be established, and that South Korea’s first mass-produced logistics and industrial robots will be trained in conjunction with the AI data center.
President Lee stated, "This investment is expected not only to secure global competitiveness for South Korea’s AI and robotics industries, but also to fundamentally reshape the economic landscape of the entire Honam region." He continued, "Young people will be able to pursue their dreams here without having to move to the Seoul metropolitan area in search of jobs." He then added, "I would like to (once again) thank Chung Eui-sun, Executive Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, and all of the group’s executives and employees."
The president also promised strong government support. "We will carefully improve living conditions and drastically lower regulatory and administrative barriers," he said. He further pledged, "We will firmly back this project so that it becomes the best model case for encouraging companies to expand into regional areas," and added, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the bold regional investment that begins in Saemangeum is replicated across the country."
Finally, President Lee said, "I sincerely welcome Hyundai Motor Group’s investment in Saemangeum," adding, "Chairman Chung Ju-yung would be proud."



west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter