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Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, delivers opening remarks during a meeting with AI memory semiconductor companies at the SK hynix Icheon Campus in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on April 28. / National Assembly Press Corps

Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized on April 28 that politics must now fully focus on economic growth to protect people's livelihoods.

During a meeting with AI memory semiconductor companies held at the SK hynix Icheon Campus in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, Lee said, "The national economy can only be sustained through corporate activities."

He voiced concern over the current economic situation, saying, "All citizens are worried about the Korean economy. Recently, international trade conditions have worsened significantly, and particularly, the unilateral tariff hikes and protectionist policies of the United States are posing a major crisis for South Korea’s export-driven economy."

Lee further stressed, "Fostering future advanced industries is the most critical task," adding, "I would like to hear opinions on what measures are needed to ensure the semiconductor industry continues to lead the world without major setbacks."

Kwak Noh-jung, CEO of SK hynix, commented, "The Korean economy stands at a grim crossroads, with the shock of negative growth and the expected full impact of U.S. tariffs starting to be felt in the second half of the year." However, he noted, "The paradoxical situation in which SK hynix achieved an earnings surprise offers important lessons on which areas we should focus on to drive economic recovery and growth."

Kwak added, "Today, the success or failure of the semiconductor industry has become a matter of national survival. Semiconductors have firmly established themselves as the foundational infrastructure of all industries and are directly linked to the new global paradigm of economic security."

Meanwhile, Lee announced via Facebook on the same day a series of pledges, including the swift enactment of a special semiconductor law, tax benefits for domestically produced and sold semiconductors, and the establishment of a semiconductor RE100 initiative.