Hong Jun-pyo likens opposition to Honam semiconductor cluster to resistance against Gyeongbu Expressway

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo criticized opponents of the government's semiconductor cluster investment in the Honam region — who cite shortages of water and electricity — saying their stance is no different from the opposition party's resistance to the construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway decades ago.

Hong made the remarks Wednesday on his social media, writing that water and power constraints are not insurmountable obstacles. "If water is scarce, we can build the infrastructure to secure water resources. If electricity is lacking, we can supplement industrial power supply through the construction of small modular reactors," he said.

He went on to argue that leaving infrastructure-deficient regions to fend for themselves is not the role of the state. "It is not the government's job to abandon regions with inadequate infrastructure and tell them to stay that way," Hong wrote. "Major industrial projects are national land-transformation undertakings that take at least a decade. Turning them into political fodder is no different from how the opposition party fought against the Gyeongbu Expressway."

Hong pointed to past industrial transformations as evidence that state-led infrastructure investment works. "Ulsan went from a rural town to a hub of heavy and chemical industries. Pohang Steel was built and made Korea a world-class steelmaking power. Changwon became the center of heavy industry — all because the government laid the industrial infrastructure and attracted investment," he said. "This can be a chance for the long-neglected Honam region to leap forward. It must not be used as a political weapon."

However, Hong said he was disappointed Daegu had been left out of the investment. "It is regrettable that Daegu was overlooked in this round of investment," he said.