Don't Twist Hynix's Arm Under Guise of Balanced Development Logic

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo criticized the government's decision on the 24th to reject the expansion of Hynix Semiconductor's Icheon plant, saying "Don't twist Hynix's arm under the guise of national balanced development logic."

Governor Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, stating, "The government must support companies so they can engage in business activities with peace of mind and ease regulations."

Governor Kim said, "What is blocking job creation in the Republic of Korea and advancement of the nation is the current government's balanced regional development theory, which goes against free market economy," and emphasized, "Companies must be allowed freedom in their investment choices."

He also claimed, "Cheongju has a population of 630,000, but Icheon has only 190,000, so raising the issue of Cheongju factory expansion as a reason for balanced national development is unreasonable."

Governor Kim raised an equity issue, stating, "In 2003, when a semiconductor production line of Company D in Eumseong, North Chungcheong, located upstream of the Paldang water source, could not be expanded due to copper discharge issues, the government even revised laws to resolve the problem."

He then proposed, "If copper is truly a problem, let's hold a public TV debate with environmental experts to clarify the scientific and environmental facts."

Lawmakers from the Seoul metropolitan area attending the press conference included Hannara Party members Lee Kyou-taek, Park Chan-sook, Lim Hae-gyu, and Han Sun-gyo.

Meanwhile, Rep. Lee Kyou-taek (Icheon·Yeoju) is scheduled to hold a head-shaving ceremony on the 25th in front of the steps of the National Assembly's main building with Icheon Mayor Jo Byung-don, Gyeonggi Provincial Assemblymember Lee Jong-yul, and Icheon City Council Chairman Kim Tae-il, in protest of the rejection of the Icheon plant expansion.

The government concluded on this day regarding Hynix Semiconductor's Seoul metropolitan area plant expansion issue that while it would allow the first phase Cheongju plant expansion, the second phase Icheon plant expansion is substantially difficult due to environmental issues including copper discharge.