Residents march from Haenam to Seoul to protest Yongin semiconductor complex
Residents in the apartment complexes of Suji, Yongin, are facing the direct consequences of the South Korean semiconductor industry’s expansion, as massive infrastructure projects reshape the area and spark community-led climate action.
Yongin Semiconductor Project Requires Massive Power and Water
The Yongin semiconductor project is projected to require over 14 gigawatts (GW) of power by 2041 to sustain its operations. To meet these energy needs, the project necessitates the installation of high-voltage transmission lines across mountainous and agricultural regions far from the industrial site. The complex requires approximately 1.34 million tons of water daily, and residents in peripheral regions fear the water may be forcibly diverted from their areas.
The scale of the construction is physically visible in Won-sam-myeon, where the SK semiconductor complex is currently under development. The area is marked by a constant flow of dump trucks and the presence of numerous tower cranes. High-voltage transmission towers are being erected across rural landscapes, often standing in close proximity to local infrastructure, including century-old elementary schools. In the nearby town of Idong-eup, where a Samsung facility is planned, residents have reported widespread land sales, changing the local demographic and environment.
Local Residents March Against Industrial Complex Construction
In response to the rapid industrialization, local communities have organized to demand that the burden of the nation’s economic growth not be placed solely on rural and suburban populations. A group of residents organized a 22-day march beginning July 30, traveling from Haenam through Yongin to Seoul to protest the “re-examination of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex and opposition to the construction of high-voltage transmission towers.”
Community Groups Advocate for Equitable Energy Transition
The movement has extended beyond opposition to specific industrial projects, evolving into a broader push for climate action. Ahead of the September 19 Climate March, local community groups, including the humanities collective Mun-tak Network, organized seminars and created flags to participate in the protest. Participants utilized the march to advocate for a more equitable approach to the country’s energy transition, emphasizing the need for peace and sustainability over industrial expansion.
As the construction continues, local residents are looking toward the next phase of their involvement. Plans include interviewing youth from local alternative schools who have formed climate clubs and authored carbon-neutrality declarations. The focus remains on identifying actionable steps that can be taken within the neighborhood to address the long-term environmental impacts of the semiconductor industrial hub.
