Democratic Party Gwangju and Jeonnam Provincial Party Urge Passage of ‘HanJeonGongDae Special Act’ in February Extraordinary National Assembly

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Democratic Party of Korea's Gwangju Metropolitan City Party and Jeonnam Provincial Party issued a joint statement on the 18th, urging the passage of the Korea Energy Engineering University Act (KEPCO Tech Special Act) during the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

They began by saying, "There is a strong voice from the citizens of Gwangju and Jeonnam, who wish for the normal opening of Korea Energy Engineering University, a world-class institution for nurturing talent to strengthen the nation's future energy industry competitiveness."

They continued, "To achieve the original goal of KEPCO Tech's opening in March next year, the KEPCO Tech Special Act must be passed by early next month at the latest, so that all preparations necessary for the opening can be completed within this year. However, due to opposition from the main opposition party, the People Power Party, difficulties are being faced in passing the bill through the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee, which is the relevant standing committee. There is even a prospect that the opening could be delayed until after 2025."

They also stated, "The People Power Party is persistently blocking the passage of the Special Act by citing reasons such as the declining school-age population, the crisis of university restructuring, and KEPCO's limited financial situation. The People Power Party also maintains an opposing stance on other Honam-related bills, including the amendment to the 'Special Act on the Creation of an Asian Culture Centered City' (Asian Culture Special Act), which is a current issue for Gwangju City."

They added, "This attitude reveals that the People Power Party's expansion policy, which declared 'Honam Together' after the April 15 general election last year and aimed for national party status through East-West harmony, was a deceptive 'Honam mockery.' Furthermore, it cannot be denied that they have admitted the limitations of a regional party biased toward Yeongnam by neglecting regional balanced development policies."

The Democratic Party of Korea's Gwangju City Party and Jeonnam Provincial Party strongly urge the People Power Party's Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, National Assembly Industry Committee Chairman Lee Hak-young, and politicians from both ruling and opposition parties in the name of the citizens and party members of the city and province.

Finally, they requested, "The National Assembly should make a grand decision beyond party lines to pass the KEPCO Tech Special Act during the February extraordinary session to strengthen future energy industry competitiveness and nurture world-class talent in related fields. The ruling and opposition parties should fully cooperate in the passage of the KEPCO Tech Special Act during the February extraordinary session, which is a long-cherished project of Gwangju and Jeonnam and a presidential pledge, and actively cooperate in fostering the new energy industry, which is Korea's future growth engine."

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