President Lee Jae Myung Pushes for Future Industry Investment and Regional Development

President Lee Jae Myung called for large scale strategic investments in future industries and the acceleration of administrative relocation to Sejong during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Lee identified small modular reactors, renewable energy, quantum computing, aerospace, and advanced biology as key sectors for global leadership. He stated that investment in these areas should be as intensive as the government's three megaprojects, which focus on semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers. In a separate meeting on Monday, Lee urged a blitzkrieg speed for the construction of a semiconductor cluster near Gwangju, requesting that air base operations be temporarily relocated by mid 2028 to expedite the project. The administration also signaled plans to streamline permits and environmental impact assessments through special legislation. Regarding regional development, Lee emphasized the need to shift core state functions away from Seoul to address disparities in real estate and education. He ordered officials to speed up the construction of a presidential office and a National Assembly branch in Sejong. Additionally, the Cabinet approved organizational changes within the Defense Ministry and Defense Acquisition Program Administration to advance a nuclear powered submarine program based on a 2025 agreement with US President Donald Donald Trump. On other matters, Lee attended the opening of the National Fire Hospital in North Chungcheong Province, where he stated that the primary duty of the state is to protect the lives and safety of its people. He also instructed the national police agency to develop measures to protect crime victims following changes to the Criminal Procedure Act.