Finance minister nominee sees 3% growth, $40,000 per capita income

Lee Hyoung-il, nominee for deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy, said Tuesday that Korea could post 3 percent growth this year and move above $40,000 in per capita national income. He linked the outlook to a semiconductor boom driven by the AI surge and said exports and investment are improving. Lee also backed the Bank of Korea’s monetary tightening and said targeted fiscal support for vulnerable borrowers is included in next year’s budget proposal. He said Korea-U.S. investment talks are staying within the $20 billion annual cap and $200 billion overall framework.

Lee said the semiconductor boom is supporting exports and investment, with domestic consumption and employment expected to follow after a brief lag.

He warned about semiconductor market fluctuations, global interest rate shifts and capital movements as risks to macroeconomic stability.

Lee said he supports monetary tightening and rate adjustments by the Bank of Korea.

He said targeted fiscal support for vulnerable borrowers has been incorporated into next year’s budget proposal.

He said Korea-U.S. investment talks are being conducted within the $20 billion annual cap and $200 billion overall cap, with $350 billion in U.S.-related investments including $150 billion for bilateral maritime and shipbuilding cooperation.

Published Sep 15, 2026 3:56 pm KST

Lee vows to keep US investment within $200 billion cap

Lee Hyoung-il, nominee for deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy, speaks during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Lee Hyoung-il, nominee for deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy, presented an optimistic economic outlook, Tuesday, forecasting that Korea could achieve 3 percent growth this year and cross the $40,000 threshold in per capita national income, fueled by a thriving semiconductor sector amid the ongoing artificial intelligence surge.

During his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, Lee, currently the first vice finance minister, said the semiconductor boom is propelling key economic indicators such as exports and investment.

“With domestic consumption and employment expected to follow suit after a brief lag, achieving 3 percent economic growth this year is becoming increasingly tangible, setting the stage for per capita income to advance into the $40,000 range,” he said.

Lee vowed to closely monitor potential risk factors, including semiconductor market fluctuations, global interest rate shifts and capital movements, to ensure macroeconomic stability and mitigate market volatility.

On the recent monetary tightening by the Bank of Korea, including consecutive benchmark interest rate hikes, Lee expressed support for the policy direction.

“I support the strategy of monetary tightening and rate adjustments,” Lee said. “Given the substantial inflow of liquidity through current account surpluses generated by the semiconductor boom, proactive and sound management is necessary.”

At the same time, he acknowledged that tighter liquidity resulting from higher interest rates could place a burden on economically vulnerable households and businesses.

“To address these challenges, targeted fiscal support measures can be deployed to assist vulnerable borrowers, effectively complementing monetary policy,” Lee explained, adding that such targeted initiatives have been incorporated into next year’s budget proposal.

Turning to foreign investment, Lee highlighted that ongoing discussions with Washington regarding Korea’s U.S.-bound investments are being conducted within the established caps of $20 billion annually and $200 billion overall.

The comments came amid concerns that total investments might exceed the initial terms during the course of the bilateral negotiations.

While declining to elaborate on specific projects, Lee reiterated, “We will ensure that all discussions remain firmly within the parameters defined by the memorandum of understanding.”

He added that comprehensive details would be formally presented to the National Assembly in accordance with statutory procedures once discussions conclude.

“The $350 billion in U.S.-related investments encompasses $200 billion in direct U.S. investments alongside $150 billion designated for bilateral maritime and shipbuilding cooperation,” he said. “Korea will approach these discussions with a focus on maximizing national economic interests while reinforcing the core bilateral alliance.”

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韩国副总理兼财政经济部长候选人李亨日周二表示，韩国今年经济增长率有望达到3%，人均国民收入将突破4万美元。他将这一前景归功于人工智能热潮推动的半导体行业繁荣，并表示出口和投资正在改善。李亨日还支持韩国央行的货币紧缩政策，并表示明年的预算提案中包含针对弱势借款人的定向财政支持。他还表示，韩美投资谈判将保持在每年200亿美元的上限和2000亿美元的总体框架内。

李表示，半导体行业的繁荣正在支撑出口和投资，预计国内消费和就业将在短暂滞后后跟上。

他警告称，半导体市场波动、全球利率变化和资本流动都可能对宏观经济稳定构成风险。

李表示，他支持韩国央行收紧货币政策和调整利率。

他表示，针对弱势借款人的有针对性的财政支持已纳入明年的预算提案。

他表示，韩美投资谈判正在每年200亿美元上限和2000亿美元总上限内进行，其中与美国相关的投资为3500亿美元，包括1500亿美元用于双边海事和造船合作。

发布于2026年9月15日下午3:56（韩国标准时间）

李承诺将美国投资额控制在2000亿美元以内。

周二，韩国副总理兼财政经济部长官提名人李亨日在首尔国会出席提名确认听证会并发表讲话。（韩联社）

韩国副总理兼财政经济部长提名人李亨日周二发表了乐观的经济展望，预测韩国今年经济增长率可能达到3%，人均国民收入将突破4万美元大关，这主要得益于蓬勃发展的半导体行业以及人工智能的持续增长。

在国会的确认听证会上，现任第一副财政部长李显龙表示，半导体行业的繁荣正在推动出口和投资等关键经济指标的增长。

“随着国内消费和就业在短暂滞后后有望跟上，今年实现 3% 的经济增长正变得越来越现实，这将为人均收入迈向 4 万美元大关奠定基础，”他说道。

李显龙承诺将密切关注潜在的风险因素，包括半导体市场波动、全球利率变化和资本流动，以确保宏观经济稳定并减轻市场波动。

对于韩国央行近期采取的包括连续上调基准利率在内的紧缩货币政策，李表示支持。

李表示：“我支持货币紧缩和利率调整的策略。鉴于半导体繁荣带来的经常账户盈余造成了大量流动性流入，积极稳健的管理势在必行。”

与此同时，他也承认，利率上升导致流动性收紧，可能会给经济脆弱的家庭和企业带来负担。

李解释说：“为了应对这些挑战，可以采取有针对性的财政支持措施来帮助弱势借款人，有效地补充货币政策。”他还补充说，此类有针对性的举措已纳入明年的预算提案中。

谈到外国投资，李强调，目前与华盛顿就韩国对美投资进行的讨论都在既定的每年 200 亿美元、总计 2000 亿美元的上限范围内进行。

在这些评论出台之际，人们担心在双边谈判过程中，总投资额可能会超过最初的约定。

李在拒绝详细说明具体项目的同时重申：“我们将确保所有讨论都严格遵守谅解备忘录规定的范围。”

他还补充说，一旦讨论结束，将按照法定程序正式向国民议会提交详细资料。

他表示：“这3500亿美元的美国相关投资包括2000亿美元的美国直接投资，以及1500亿美元用于双边海洋和造船合作。韩国将以最大限度地维护国家经济利益为重点，同时加强核心双边同盟关系，来参与这些讨论。”

尽管业界和反对派反对，财政部长提名人仍支持1月份推出加密货币税。

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