President Lee: "There Is Plenty of Water in Honam, and Samsung and Hynix Are Not Foolish"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung on the 27th directly rejected concerns over water shortages for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster, saying, "There is plenty of water in Honam, just as there is in Yeongnam and the Seoul Capital Area." Referring in particular to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, he added, "They are not foolish enough to plan a massive factory in a region without enough water, which is essential for semiconductor production, without even reviewing it."
Lee shared a report on the water shortage issue facing the Honam Semiconductor Cluster on his X account that day and made the remarks in response.
"There is plenty of water in Honam, just as there is in Yeongnam and the Seoul Capital Area," Lee said. "For decades, however, water resources were left neglected, with Honam managed at the level of an agricultural city to serve political goals such as divide and rule, and only enough attention was paid to meet agricultural water needs."
He went on to stress that "if water resources are properly allocated and managed with the systems needed for the development of a high-tech city, a supply of 1 million tons of industrial water per day has been deemed possible."
Lee also drew a line under concerns about semiconductor companies' investment decisions and the government's review of potential sites. "Samsung and Hynix, top-tier semiconductor companies competing for the world's No. 1 and No. 2 positions, are not foolish enough to plan a massive factory in a region without enough water, which is essential for semiconductor production, without even reviewing it," he said.
He added, "The government also does not encourage companies to build factories in areas without water."
Lee's remarks were a direct rebuttal to concerns raised during the push to develop the Honam Semiconductor Cluster over securing industrial water. The report said the government is reviewing a plan to use water from agricultural reservoirs as industrial water when building the Gwangju–Jeonnam Semiconductor Cluster, while warning of farmers' backlash and possible water quality problems.
"Regardless of political stance, I ask for understanding and cooperation for balanced regional development and nationwide policies of mutual growth and coexistence, which are tied to the fate of the Republic of Korea," Lee wrote.
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter