‘1st Anniversary of Inauguration’ Rep. Kim Won: “Committed to Communication and Regional Development”

Representative Proposal of 49 Bills Including the Youth Basic Act, Regional Culture Promotion Act, and Wind Power Development Promotion

Holding a 1st anniversary press conference to explain his political activities so far, Congressman Kim Won Photo by Seunghyun Jeong

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seunghyun Jeong] Kim Won-i, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Mokpo City, Jeonnam), expressed a strong determination to become a "politician who creates a new and younger Mokpo" during a press conference marking his first anniversary in office on the 31st.

In his press statement, Representative Kim explained his political activities over the past year, saying, "Since taking office a year ago, I have sponsored the largest number of bills among Jeonnam lawmakers, with 49 bills," adding, "Most of these bills are for the region and public welfare, including the Medical Service Act, Youth Basic Act, Regional Culture Promotion Act, Railroad Industry Act, and the Special Act on the Promotion of Wind Power Development."

Persistent Strategy to Attract Mokpo Medical School

Regarding the establishment of Mokpo Medical School, a long-standing project for 30 years, Representative Kim emphasized to the central government the need to expand public healthcare and increase medical personnel, pointed out the shortage of local medical services, and urged the establishment of new medical schools in Jeonnam and Mokpo.

Currently, Representative Kim is persuading the Minister of Health and Welfare, the party leadership, and the Blue House, having succeeded in July last year in establishing medical schools in regions without one, thereby reinforcing the validity of attracting a local medical school. However, he explained that progress has been stalled due to strong opposition from the Korean Medical Association.

To overcome the barrier of "no progress in attracting a medical school," Representative Kim argued, "As an alternative to the medical-policy consultative body, we must secure strong momentum for expanding public healthcare through the Health and Medical Personnel Policy Deliberation Committee."

In particular, Representative Kim received a positive response from the Minister of Health and Welfare regarding the attraction of Mokpo Medical School and emphasized, "If there is common sense, the establishment of a medical school should naturally be in Mokpo."

Mokpo’s National Budget Increased by 233.9 Billion KRW over Government Proposal

Representative Kim stated, "I have made every effort to secure the national budget for Mokpo City," and noted that he has taken the lead in expanding the Honam region's budget while serving as a member of the National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Special Committee this year.

Specifically, Representative Kim secured a total of 114 projects amounting to 891.6 billion KRW in national budget for Mokpo City, including the Mokpo Station railway facility relocation study, North Port wharf expansion project, Honam Peace + Unification Center construction, and the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway project.

This budget is 233.9 billion KRW more than the original government proposal.

Meanwhile, to improve the region’s outdated educational environment, the "Green Smart Future School" project was selected. This project aims to transform classrooms over 40 years old into innovative classrooms capable of creative and innovative education, fostering future talents through the participation of students, parents, and the local community.

Currently, a total budget of 49.4 billion KRW is planned to be invested in five schools: Mokpo Dong Elementary, Moksang High School, Mokpo Iro Elementary, Mokpo Yongho Elementary, and Mokpo Girls’ Middle School.

Regional Economic Revitalization: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

After one year in office, Representative Kim’s efforts to revitalize the local economy are showing results.

First, to establish the Korea Island Promotion Agency, Representative Kim sponsored the "Island Development Promotion Act Amendment" and successfully passed it through the plenary session.

In particular, Representative Kim showed persistence uncommon for a first-term lawmaker by personally meeting and persuading Minister Jeon Hae-cheol of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, his deputy minister, and the department head in charge.

Additionally, Representative Kim emphasized the need for focused support over the next one to two years to the party leadership, then Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki, and the ministers of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Employment and Labor to extend the designation of employment crisis areas and special industrial crisis response areas.

Held 27 Sessions of ‘Mokpo Jeongdam’ for Citizen Communication

Representative Kim explained, "Since taking office, I have held 27 sessions of ‘Mokpo Jeongdam,’ a communication channel with local residents, and I am increasing meetings with residents through the weekly ‘Geum-gwi Wol-lae’."

In particular, by establishing dialogue channels by age group and topic, Representative Kim engaged in in-depth discussions to resolve local issues and has operated a separate policy team to actively reflect citizens’ complaints in administration and politics.

Humbly Accepting Criticism, Firmly Committing to Party Reform

Representative Kim stated, "Through the April 7 by-election, the people sent a stern warning to the Democratic Party of Korea," and added, "We humbly accept and reflect on criticisms of the Democratic Party regarding real estate issues, morality, double standards, and incompetence."

In response to a reporter’s question at the press conference about how he would handle the "City Council Member Emperor Flu Incident," Representative Kim replied, "There is no clear court verdict yet, so it is premature to make any judgment."

Regarding the misuse of public funds by a city council member, Representative Kim stated, "The individual is reflecting on their actions, but appropriate legal disciplinary measures will be taken later."

In his closing remarks, Representative Kim emphasized, "I will devote everything to regaining the administration and winning the local elections," and stressed, "Next year’s local elections must be different from before."

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