Keynote address at mega-project forum

Minister pledges to cut semiconductor fab operation timeline by over 2 years

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan delivers a keynote address at the Presidential Council on National Economy's open forum on three mega-projects, held at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Monday. [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan delivers a keynote address at the Presidential Council on National Economy's open forum on three mega-projects, held at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Monday. [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan said he would build a national growth platform by linking three mega-projects: semiconductors, AI data centers and physical AI.

Kim made the remarks Monday in a keynote address at the Presidential Council on National Economy's open forum, titled "Three Mega-Projects: Tasks for Becoming a National Growth Platform," held at Ferrum Tower in Seoul.

"The total investment plan of 1,600 trillion won ($1.2 trillion) is an overwhelming scale, equivalent to roughly 60 percent of GDP in the project's launch year," Kim said. "With the AI revolution placing every nation on a new starting line, this is a decisive opportunity to lead the future of global industry."

Kim went on to say the government would move swiftly on consolidated permitting and the enactment of a super-wide special zone law to ensure private-sector investment plans proceed without delay, cutting the timeline for semiconductor fab operation by more than two years.

As the core strategy, Kim put forward a national growth platform connecting semiconductors, AI data centers and physical AI.

Under the framework, semiconductors supply AI computing power, AI data centers support AI training and deployment, and physical AI applies those capabilities on the factory floor to dramatically raise productivity. The three pillars are designed to interlock, driving manufacturing innovation across industry and feeding back into investment in future technology — creating a virtuous cycle.

To underpin the strategy, Kim presented a four-pronged approach he called the "M·E·G·A" strategy: Mobilize national capabilities, Engage all economic actors, Generate new growth engines, and Amplify results.

"We will create a virtuous cycle in which mega-projects lead to mega-growth," Kim said.

The forum opened with remarks by Kim Seong-sik, vice chairman of the Presidential Council on National Economy, followed by Kim's keynote address and presentations and discussions by seven experts in related fields.


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