President Lee Jae-myung and the South Korean government will announce the "Korea Leap 3 Mega Projects" on June 29, 2026 [1].
The initiative aims to secure national economic growth by aggressively expanding the country's technological infrastructure. By focusing on high-growth sectors, the government intends to maintain a competitive edge in the global race for artificial intelligence and hardware supremacy.
The strategy centers on three primary pillars: semiconductors, ultra-large AI data centers, and physical AI and robotics [1]. These investments are designed to create a synergistic ecosystem where AI software and robotic hardware are supported by a robust domestic chip supply chain.
The announcement will take place at the Blue House during a public briefing session [2]. While the technical goals are clear, the geographic distribution of these projects has triggered a partisan clash between the government and opposition parties.
Political tension has centered on a planned large-scale semiconductor investment in the Honam region [3]. Opposition parties have questioned the fairness of the selection process, suggesting the investment is politically motivated rather than based on economic logic [3].
President Lee Jae-myung addressed these criticisms during a video interview. He said the move was not an abuse of power but rather "administrative guidance and developmental administration" [4].
The government maintains that the Honam investment is a strategic necessity for balanced regional development. However, the opposition continues to challenge the legality and transparency of the decision-making process leading up to the June 29 announcement [1].
“The strategy centers on three primary pillars: semiconductors, ultra-large AI data centers, and physical AI and robotics.”
This initiative signals South Korea's intent to integrate AI and robotics into a single industrial strategy to avoid over-reliance on a single tech sector. However, the immediate political backlash highlights the enduring tension between national economic planning and regional political interests in South Korea, where infrastructure placement is often viewed through a partisan lens.
