Finance ministry unveils first package to speed corporate investment

The finance ministry on Thursday unveiled its first package to speed corporate investment, targeting projects stalled by regulatory hurdles in advanced industries including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries and biotechnology.

The plan would allow separate permits for new factory buildings in industrial complexes above a certain size instead of requiring changes to existing permits. The proposed Building Act revision is expected to support the early execution of about 2.5 trillion won ($1.77 billion) in investment.

In the second half of 2026, the ministry plans to add battery-recycling businesses to the industries eligible to locate in the Gumi and Pohang national industrial complexes. The change is set to support about 100 billion won ($70.7 million) in new investment.

The measures also call for cutting the safety-inspection period for city-gas expansions at semiconductor fabs to three days from seven and introducing performance-based building design for six advanced strategic industries by 2027.

"Measures included in the package will be continually managed so that they lead to actual investment, and we will promptly prepare and announce a second package centered on the Ultra-Innovation Economy flagship project and green industries to actively support corporate innovation and investment," Joo Hwan-wook, the finance ministry's policy coordination director, said.