Lee Jae-myung "Urgent Need to Restore Fairness and Address Climate Crisis... Actively Requesting Ruling Party's Cooperation"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, urged the government and ruling party to actively cooperate, emphasizing that restoring fairness and a major energy transition are urgent to stabilize citizens' livelihoods and revitalize the regional economy amid low growth.

At the 'Democratic Party-Gyeonggi Province Budget Policy Council' held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the afternoon of the 20th, Governor Lee said, "Despite our society having more capital, technology, labor, infrastructure, and educational levels than ever before, the continued low growth is ultimately due to polarization and unfairness," adding, "By alleviating this and restoring fairness, the resources and opportunities we have can be utilized more efficiently, and a society where members of the nation can dream, hope, and challenge themselves will enable sustainable growth."

He continued, "Globally, the energy transition has become a worldwide task in response to the climate crisis, and the digital transformation brought by the technological revolution is approaching us," stating, "If we do not prepare swiftly for this major transition, our industrial economy could face a serious crisis. The government must take the lead in preparing for large-scale infrastructure investment and the energy transition."

He added, "I hope the government and ruling party will strive to take a step ahead in the crisis and leap forward as an opportunity to lead the global economy," and "Gyeonggi Province will also make many preparations."

As specific cooperation measures, Governor Lee proposed ▲ introduction of Gyeonggi Province's basic housing ▲ national budget support for expanded issuance of local currency ▲ mandatory installation of CCTV in operating rooms of medical institutions ▲ legislation for 50% national treasury support for quasi-public metropolitan buses ▲ amendment of the Labor Standards Act to share labor inspection authority with local governments ▲ establishment of a fair procurement competition system through the construction of a local procurement system.

In response, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, said, "We will support industrial innovation within the region so that Gyeonggi Province can serve as a powerful growth engine to renew South Korea's economy. The core of this is semiconductors," adding, "According to the K-Semiconductor Strategy announced last May, by 2030, the world's best semiconductor cluster connecting Giheung, Dongtan, Pyeongtaek, Yongin, and Icheon will be established. We will do our best to enact related special laws and develop industrial logistics infrastructure."

He also said, "We will support the basic housing initiative promoted by Gyeonggi Province to become a fundamental cooperation on housing issues," adding, "In particular, I hope Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in cooperating with the central government to realize the 2050 carbon neutrality proposed by President Moon Jae-in and cooperate on energy transition policies. We will strive to reflect Gyeonggi Province's pending issues well in the budget policy."

The council was attended by key Democratic Party central officials including Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party; Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader; Yoon Kwan-seok, secretary-general; Park Wan-joo, chairman of the Policy Committee; Kim Young-ho, chief secretary to the party leader; Lee So-young, spokesperson; Min Byung-duk, deputy secretary-general of the organization office; as well as Park Jung, chairman of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party; Kim Cheol-min, senior vice chairman of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party; Lee Jae-jung, chairman of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party Policy Committee; Kim Min-cheol, vice chairman of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party; National Assembly members Jung Chun-sook and Park Sang-hyuk; and Park Sung-eun, secretary-general of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party.

Governor Lee also submitted in writing 13 Gyeonggi Province pending issues including ▲ easing interest burdens on loans for low-income groups ▲ national budget support for installation of public wastewater treatment facilities in the semiconductor cluster ▲ expansion of special judicial police duties.

He also requested 676.3 billion KRW in national budget support for 10 national projects aimed at balanced regional development.

Major national projects related to balanced regional development in Gyeonggi Province include ▲ Metropolitan Area Express Railway Line A (Paju~Samsung) ▲ Metropolitan Area Express Railway Line B (Songdo~Maseok) ▲ Byeollae Line double-track railway construction project ▲ Dobongsan~Okjeong metropolitan railway project ▲ Okjeong~Pocheon metropolitan railway project ▲ Onam-Sudong national road construction project (National Road No. 98) ▲ Ganap-Sangsu national road construction project (National Road No. 39) ▲ Silchon-Manseon national road construction project (National Road No. 98) ▲ Galcheon-Gasu national road construction project (National Road No. 82).

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