On April 6, a group of 36 lawmakers, led by Song Seok-jun and Son Myung-soo, introduced the 'National Infrastructure Basic Law' in the National Assembly. This proposed legislation aims to establish governance for national infrastructure initiatives, as well as to formulate, implement, and evaluate infrastructure strategies.
As noted in the bill, major countries are actively pursuing infrastructure development and reconstruction. In the UK, the 'UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy' was announced in June 2025. This strategy outlines long-term national investment and management plans for transportation, energy, water resources, digital infrastructure, and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, with the goal of promoting economic growth and improving quality of life.
Similarly, Australia has initiated the Infrastructure Investment Program (IIP) for long-term infrastructure investments from 2024 to 2033, focusing on roads and rail under federal government leadership. The United States also established a massive $2.5 trillion infrastructure investment plan under the Biden administration in 2021, while the Trump administration continued to prioritize infrastructure investment. Other Asian countries, including Japan and Taiwan, are following suit.
The push for infrastructure investment by these nations is not solely aimed at improving aging infrastructure or providing short-term economic stimulus. Instead, strategic infrastructure investment is becoming essential for enhancing social overhead capital for the future of the nation.
In an increasingly competitive global economy, where national interests take precedence, building industrial, economic, and social infrastructure is crucial for securing national competitiveness. Furthermore, the need for infrastructure investment based on long-term strategic goals is growing in response to the accelerating digital environment and climate change.
In this context, the recently proposed 'National Infrastructure Basic Law' holds significant importance. It establishes a legal foundation for strategic investments through the creation of national governance, covering the planning, implementation, and evaluation of investment initiatives. While there have been previous national infrastructure investment plans, such as the Urban Regeneration New Deal in 2017, the Aging Infrastructure Maintenance Plan in 2019, the Living SOC Investment Plan, and the Digital New Deal 2.0 in 2021, these efforts often lacked consistency due to the dispersion of execution entities and frequently failed to deliver tangible results due to shifting investment priorities.
Given the current economic, social, and industrial infrastructure landscape in South Korea, national infrastructure investment can no longer be postponed. The deterioration of key national infrastructure is at a critical level, with over half of the roads being over 30 years old, more than 50% of railway facilities exceeding their lifespan, and 30% of facilities being over 40 years old. Ports and airports are similarly affected.
Moreover, the rapid expansion of digital technology and AI has led to a surge in demand for upgrading major infrastructure, making the enhancement of economic infrastructure vital for generating national economic growth. Particularly in regions facing population decline and loss of growth momentum, strategic infrastructure expansion is essential for fostering growth and development.
Ultimately, national infrastructure is a fundamental basis not only for economic growth but also for improving the quality of life and creating a safe living environment. Therefore, it should be prioritized for government investment and expanded systematically and sustainably. A strategic approach that considers the improvement of aging infrastructure, securing future growth drivers, and promoting balanced regional development is required. The introduction of the 'National Infrastructure Basic Law' should catalyze more concrete discussions and initiatives regarding national infrastructure policies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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