President Lee: Semiconductor Windfall Tax Revenue to Be Concentrated on Future, Youth, Regions and Education

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung said on the 13th that he would use the large amount of additional tax revenue as strategic funding for future-oriented investment. He stressed that a new Future Response Fund will be created to concentrate investment in four key areas: the future, youth, regions and education.
At the Cheong Wa Dae meeting held under the slogan, "A One-of-a-Kind Korea Opened by Bold Innovation and Investment," President Lee Jae Myung chaired the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting and said unprecedented additional tax revenue is expected, driven by the semiconductor boom triggered by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution.
He explained that the extra tax revenue is a precious resource that will be used during the golden window in which global AI supremacy is decided. He added that the Future Response Fund will be established to focus investment on the four areas that will shape the country's future — the future, youth, regions and education — and that this will help raise the economy's growth potential and return the benefits to all citizens.
The Future Response Fund will serve as a strategic investment platform to ensure bold and sustained future investment. He also said it will become a springboard for a major leap forward together with future generations.
He also expressed his determination to accelerate the three major mega projects announced recently.
President Lee said, "We will turn the three major mega projects we announced earlier into new opportunities for our economy. The government will mobilize all of its capabilities to provide focused support so that investment in semiconductors, Physical AI and AI data centers can proceed on the companies' timelines." He added, "Securing a stable supply of essential resources such as electricity and water is basic. We will also expand transportation and logistics infrastructure, and build living conditions and innovation foundations in areas such as housing, education, healthcare and culture to create new growth hubs across Korea."
He continued, "I want to say that we will build a Korea where no one is left behind through growth for all." He said the government will establish a support system that covers the full life cycle of young people entering society, from jobs to housing and asset formation.
He also said the government will further strengthen the social safety net so that non-standard workers, whose numbers are likely to increase in the AI era, can be fully protected. He added that the government will do its utmost to provide everyday support so that all citizens can benefit from advances in AI technology.
President Lee said that if the past year was one of preemptively responding to economic recovery and livelihood crises, the coming year must be one in which real growth and a leap forward are achieved on that foundation. He emphasized that the 2027 budget proposal will be the first budget fully drawn up by this administration from the planning stage.
He then instructed officials to make sure that next year's budget includes measures that firmly support the bold dream of a "one-of-a-kind Korea."
Meanwhile, the meeting discussed the Lee Jae Myung administration's future fiscal management direction and priority investment areas.
Participants included Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, other members of the State Council, and officials from all ministries. From Cheong Wa Dae, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Director of the Office of National Security Wi Sung-lac, Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy Kim Yong-beom and fiscal planning adviser Ryu Deok-hyeon attended. More than 130 people also took part, including key ruling party figures such as Democratic Party of Korea floor leader and acting party leader Han Byung-do, Policy Committee Chairperson Han Jeoung-ae, as well as academics and researchers.
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter