Gwangju-Jeonnam Citizen Movement Headquarters Urges National Assembly to Pass Special Act for Korea Electric Power University

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Provincial Residents' Movement Headquarters for Additional Public Institution Relocation in Gwangju and Jeonnam, consisting of 61 civic groups from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions (Executive Representative Minwon Lee, hereinafter referred to as the Movement Headquarters), strongly urged the National Assembly to pass the special law for Korea Electric Power Corporation University within March at a press conference held on the 1st floor Citizen Communication Room of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council on the 15th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju-Jeonnam Provincial Citizens' Movement Headquarters for Additional Relocation of Public Institutions (Executive Representative Lee Min-won, hereinafter referred to as the Movement Headquarters), composed of 61 civic groups from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, has strongly urged the National Assembly to pass the special law for Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) University by March.

On the 15th, the Movement Headquarters held a press conference at the Citizens' Communication Room on the first floor of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, emphasizing the necessity of enacting the "KEPCO University Special Act," which mainly aims to establish a legal basis for financial support from the state, local governments, and relocated public institutions, citing aspects such as national balanced development, risk of regional extinction, expansion of regional research infrastructure, and presidential pledges.

The Movement Headquarters stated, "The establishment of KEPCO University should be accepted as part of a national policy tool for balanced development of our region, which is the most underdeveloped nationwide. According to the Local Extinction Report by the Korea Employment Information Service, Jeonnam Province was classified as the first 'local extinction risk area' at the metropolitan level in Korea in 2019," adding, "Moreover, compared to other regions such as the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeongnam region, and Chungcheong region, the Honam region is significantly lacking in research organizations, personnel, and R&D investment, making the future outlook for national land balanced development very bleak."

They also emphasized, "For Bitgaram Innovation City to fulfill its original function as a hub city for balanced national land development in the southwestern region, a world-class energy-focused research university must be established to lead the development of related industries through nurturing excellent talent and research and development."

Furthermore, they noted, "The establishment of KEPCO University is one of President Moon Jae-in's election pledges. The most certain means to fulfill this election pledge is the enactment of the special law," explaining, "Because it can provide a legal basis for financial support from the government, local governments, and public institutions."

They said, "The government recently established a legal basis for supporting KEPCO University through the revision of the enforcement decree of the Electric Power Development Fund. Despite difficult financial conditions, Jeonnam Province and Naju have made decisions to provide land worth several hundred billion won and operational support," adding, "In response to the efforts of the central government and local governments and the earnest wishes of local residents, it is now the turn of the political circles, especially the largest opposition party, the People Power Party, to respond."

Meanwhile, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Provincial Citizens' Movement Headquarters urged, "We call on the opposition parties, including the People Power Party, and the ruling party to actively cooperate and ensure the passage of the KEPCO University Special Act within this March session to enable the university's normal opening in March next year."

Meanwhile, 61 organizations, including the Gwangju Federation of Economic Organizations and the Jeonnam Civic Group Solidarity Conference, affiliated with the Gwangju-Jeonnam Provincial Citizens' Movement Headquarters for Additional Relocation of Public Institutions, participated in this statement.

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