Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il Warns Semiconductor Industry Could Collapse if National Industrial Complex Relocates to Saemangeum
Yongin, South Korea – January 22, 2026 – Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sang-il issued a stark warning today, stating that relocating the planned national semiconductor industrial complex from Yongin to Saemangeum would necessitate a complete restart of all administrative procedures and potentially devastate the South Korean semiconductor industry. The Mayor made these remarks during a meeting held at the Cheoin-gu public Hall in Yongin on January 22nd, addressing representatives from jungang-dong, Dongbu-dong, and othre key areas.
Mayor Lee emphasized the significant progress already made in establishing the semiconductor hub within Yongin, highlighting the extensive planning and investment that would be lost if the project were to be moved. He argued that such a relocation would not only cause substantial delays but also disrupt the momentum of the burgeoning semiconductor sector, ultimately jeopardizing South Korea’s future economic competitiveness.
“If the national industrial complex is moved to Saemangeum, all administrative procedures will have to return to square one,” Mayor Lee stated. “If the semiconductor industry collapses, there is no future for us.”
The Mayor’s comments underscore the growing concerns surrounding the potential relocation, which has sparked debate among industry leaders and government officials. Proponents of the move to Saemangeum cite the region’s available land and infrastructure as key advantages. However, critics, like Mayor Lee, argue that disrupting the existing plans in Yongin would be a detrimental setback for the nation’s semiconductor ambitions.
The situation remains fluid, and further discussions are expected to take place in the coming weeks to determine the optimal location for the national semiconductor industrial complex. The outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of South Korea’s technology sector and its position in the global market.
