The World Federation of Power Leaders (WFPL), led by President Lee San-Ha, issued a statement on 29 June 2026 entitled:
"Calling for the Establishment of a National Advanced Industry Strategy in the AI Era – Developing the Honam Semiconductor Cluster into a Turning Point for Korea's Future National Competitiveness."
In its statement, WFPL emphasized that the Honam Semiconductor Cluster should not be viewed merely as a regional development project, but as a national strategic initiative capable of strengthening Korea's industrial competitiveness and promoting balanced national development. It also called for a comprehensive national strategy covering stable energy supply, industrial water security, semiconductor talent development, industrial ecosystem enhancement, and a fast-track implementation system for national strategic industries.
The full text of the statement follows.
Statement
Calling for the Establishment of a National Advanced Industry Strategy in the AI Era
Developing the Honam Semiconductor Cluster into a Turning Point for Korea's Future National Competitiveness
The World Federation of Power Leaders (WFPL) calls for the establishment of a new national strategy for advanced industries to strengthen the Republic of Korea's competitiveness in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The semiconductor industry has become a strategic sector that directly affects national security, technological sovereignty, and economic prosperity. In the years ahead, national competitiveness will depend not only on individual companies but also on the strength of integrated industrial ecosystems combining energy, human resources, research and development, supply chains, and efficient public administration.
The proposed Honam Semiconductor Cluster should therefore be regarded not as a regional development project but as a national initiative that can transform Korea's industrial structure and advance balanced national development.
First, Korea should establish a stable energy supply system as a core national strategy.
Semiconductor manufacturing requires a continuous and highly reliable electricity supply.
While the expansion of renewable energy should continue, Korea also needs a balanced national energy strategy capable of providing stable baseload power for advanced manufacturing.
In this regard, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) represent a promising next-generation energy technology capable of supporting both reliable electricity supply and carbon neutrality. Korea should actively promote SMR demonstration and commercialization in connection with advanced industrial complexes.
The Honam Semiconductor Cluster can become the nation's first strategic project combining semiconductor manufacturing with next-generation energy infrastructure, strengthening both industrial competitiveness and energy security.
Second, industrial water security should become a national priority.
Stable industrial water supply is as essential as electricity for semiconductor production.
The government should treat industrial water as a national strategic resource by establishing an integrated water management system that includes multiple water sources, ultra-pure water production, desalination, wastewater recycling, and advanced water reuse technologies.
Developing these technologies as national strategic capabilities will strengthen both industrial resilience and environmental sustainability.
Third, semiconductor competitiveness must be built on people and industrial ecosystems.
Long-term competitiveness cannot be achieved through manufacturing facilities alone.
Human capital, research and development, universities, suppliers, materials and equipment industries, supply chains, and attractive living environments must grow together as a single industrial ecosystem.
Government, industry, and universities should work together to cultivate world-class semiconductor talent while building sustainable regional innovation ecosystems.
Fourth, national strategic industries require implementation systems that match the speed of global competition.
Competition in the AI era is not only about technology but also about speed.
Recent semiconductor investment projects in Japan demonstrate that rapid administrative support, infrastructure development, and close cooperation between central and local governments are critical factors in attracting global investment.
By contrast, many national strategic projects in Korea continue to experience lengthy delays due to permitting procedures, environmental reviews, and complex administrative processes.
While environmental protection, public participation, and legal procedures must be fully respected, unnecessary administrative delays should not undermine Korea's international competitiveness.
The government and the National Assembly should establish a Fast-Track System for National Strategic Industries, supported by expedited permitting, one-stop administrative services, and effective interagency coordination.
Fifth, balanced national development should become a strategy for strengthening Korea's future competitiveness.
Balanced national development is not simply a regional policy but a national growth strategy.
The Honam Semiconductor Cluster should become a catalyst for building a new industrial structure in which the Seoul metropolitan area and regional economies grow together.
The government should focus its policy efforts on creating an investment environment in which businesses can make long-term decisions with confidence.
Korea needs a national strategy for the future.
Only a nation that is fully prepared can secure national competitiveness in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The World Federation of Power Leaders (WFPL) calls upon the Government, the National Assembly, industry, academia, and local communities to unite their national capabilities in formulating and actively implementing a comprehensive national strategy for advanced industries that will shape Korea's future.
WFPL further expresses its hope that the Honam Semiconductor Cluster will become a new turning point in Korea's advanced industrial policy, serving as a successful model that simultaneously advances balanced national development and strengthens the nation's future industrial competitiveness.
The World Federation of Power Leaders proposes the following five national strategic initiatives:
1. The Government should establish an SMR-based stable energy supply system as a core national strategy.
2. The Government and local governments should establish a national water circulation and ultra-pure water supply system.
3. The Government, universities, and industry should launch a Semiconductor Talent Innovation Project for the AI era.
4. The Government and industry should strengthen advanced industrial ecosystems and supply-chain competitiveness.
5. The Government and the National Assembly should establish a Fast-Track System for National Strategic Industries.
29 June 2026
WORLD FEDERATION OF POWER LEADERS (WFPL)
