Rep. Kim Hoe-jae Proposes Resolution for Hosting COP28 in the Southern Coast and Southern Central Region at the National Assembly

Urging the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) to be Held in the South Coast Southern Central Region
Participation of 14 Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers from Jeonnam and Gyeongnam, Including 9 Lawmakers from the South Coast Souther

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Fourteen ruling and opposition lawmakers from Jeonnam and Gyeongnam, including Kim Hoe-jae of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeosu-eul, Jeonnam), have called for hosting the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (hereinafter COP28) in the South Coast Southern Central Region.

On the 9th, they held a press conference at the National Assembly Press Hall and stated, “We strongly urge the hosting of COP28 in the South Coast Southern Central Region, gathering the wishes of 1.32 million residents of the cities and counties in the region,” adding, “For a successful event, lawmakers from Jeonnam and Gyeongnam, both ruling and opposition, will cooperate across party lines and pledge to provide all possible support.”

The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP), joined by 197 countries worldwide, is an international conference held annually to discuss specific implementation measures of the UN Climate Change Convention. According to the principle of rotation among five continents, the 28th conference in 2023 is scheduled to be held in the Asia-Pacific region.

In July, the government approved the domestic hosting of COP28 as a national plan and stated that after Korea’s hosting decision, it would solicit bids from domestic cities to select the host city.

Through the resolution, they emphasized, “Gyeongnam Province, Jeonnam Province, 10 cities and counties, and their residents united to initially propose hosting COP28, and this request was approved as a national plan,” adding, “Although the South Coast residents requested and the national plan was approved by the power of the citizens, it is unacceptable to treat all cities equally and hold a public contest without consideration for the relevant region.”

They continued, “Considering the historical significance and the aspect of balanced national development, it is necessary to finalize the candidate city now for the domestic hosting of COP28,” urging, “It is only proper that the South Coast Southern Central Region be ‘pre-designated’ as the host, reflecting the wishes of the residents.”

They stated, “If the 10 cities and counties of the South Coast Southern Central Region join forces to hold COP28 in a distributed manner, it can present a new model of East-West harmony and balanced national development, and it will be an opportunity to widely promote the beautiful natural environment and cultural heritage of the South Coast Southern Central Region, including the marine national park, to the world,” adding, “The joint hosting of COP28 in the South Coast Southern Central Region will serve as a development hub for the South Coast and a foothold for exchange between Yeongnam and Honam regions, and it will be an opportunity for Korea to stand tall once again on the international stage.”

They also resolved to form a bipartisan cooperation and promotion committee for the joint hosting of the South Coast Southern Central Region and to provide National Assembly-level support for a successful event if the joint hosting is confirmed.

The resolution announced that day was supported by lawmakers Lee Gae-ho, Park Dae-chul, Seo Sam-seok, Kim Tae-ho, Shin Jeong-hoon, Kim Seung-nam, Ha Young-je, Yoon Jae-gap, So Byung-chul, Joo Cheol-hyun, Kim Hoe-jae, Seo Dong-yong, Kim Won-i, and Kang Min-guk.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.