Preliminary feasibility studies will be waived for infrastructure projects to build a Honam semiconductor cluster and expand AI data centers. The move is expected to speed up the government's three mega projects.

President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) held a cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on the 25th. The meeting deliberated and approved the agenda items, including 4 bills, 15 presidential decrees, 38 general agenda items and 1 report item.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment reported a "mega project infrastructure development plan" that waives preliminary feasibility studies to swiftly implement power and water infrastructure for semiconductor industrial complexes related to the Honam semiconductor cluster, and it was approved as reported. A "Sinbuk district agricultural water supply project" aimed at securing insufficient agricultural water as some agricultural water from Naju Lake is supplied as industrial water will also skip the preliminary feasibility study.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy submitted a "plan to 추진 a consolidated fiscal support project for building a southwest semiconductor cluster" to waive preliminary feasibility studies for expanding infrastructure to support the creation of a southwest semiconductor production base, so the project can be pursued quickly. The Ministry of Science and ICT reported for deliberation a 추진 plan to waive preliminary feasibility studies for building an "AI data center (AI DC) cluster" and to promptly finalize the project plan.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport decided to pursue waiving preliminary feasibility studies for related projects to promote the creation of an AI construction robot ecosystem across the construction industry. A waiver for a preliminary feasibility study on the "physical AI demonstration project for small manufacturers" submitted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups also passed the cabinet meeting on the day.

Lee is increasing contacts with the heads of companies participating in the three mega projects, after holding a private dinner meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won (최태원) last week. This week, he is meeting Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun (정의선) and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong (이재용).

In opening remarks at the meeting, Lee said, "The most core problem for the Republic of Korea is the one-pole system centered on the Seoul metropolitan area." He said, "We must bring about an era of growth for everyone in which the whole country develops together."