South Korean SMEs minister nominee Lee So-young faced confirmation hearing questions on September 15 over her ties to Climate Solutions, a group backed by Denmark's KR Foundation. Lawmakers accused her of pushing legislation aligned with the group's goals, including a lawsuit against the Yongin semiconductor complex. Lee said she resigned as director in 2020 and had no role in operations after that. The hearing also covered her proposal to add nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) to Korea's greenhouse gas list under the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act. Opponents noted that the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan do not regulate NF3 in semiconductor cleaning. Lee framed it as preparation for stricter global carbon rules. The outcome matters for semiconductor and display makers that would face new reporting or abatement requirements if the designation moves forward.
