Lee Jae-myung: "I will revive Jeonbuk's automobile and shipbuilding industries"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized “reviving the automobile and shipbuilding industries” while announcing his pledges for the Jeonbuk region. Ahead of the crucial Honam regional primary that will be a turning point in the nomination race, he launched a focused appeal to public sentiment, stating, “Jeonbuk still remains a victim area of the centralized unbalanced growth strategy,” and added, “Based on the principle of fairness where no one is wronged and no region is unfairly treated, I will realize the dreams of Jeonbuk and the aspirations of Jeonbuk residents.”

On the morning of the 14th, at the candidate camp in Yeouido, Seoul, during the ‘Jeonbuk Pledge Announcement Press Conference,’ Governor Lee announced six major pledges for the Jeonbuk region, saying, “We will revive the Jeonbuk regional economy through bold investment and innovation and create a Jeonbuk centered on the Green New Deal in the upcoming era of energy transition.”

First, he emphasized, “We will actively foster the eco-friendly automobile industry centered on Gunsan and Wanju and develop the mobility demonstration complex to a world-class level.” He added, “We will strive to restart the Hyundai Heavy Industries Gunsan Shipyard as soon as possible,” and said, “We will actively promote the establishment of an advanced complex focused on small and medium-sized special-purpose ships and foster the advanced marine equipment industry to become a growth engine for the Jeonbuk economy.”

He also stated, “During the second relocation of public institutions, we will actively promote the creation of a finance-specialized city centered on asset management by additionally relocating finance-related public institutions to Jeonju,” and “We will link the Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency and the carbon material national industrial complex under development to make Jeonju a global center for the carbon material industry.”

Regarding renewable energy generation pledges, key promises included support for building a ‘Green Hydrogen Industry Cluster’ utilizing electricity produced at the Saemangeum renewable energy power complex and the establishment of a data center cluster on the west coast. He also pledged to expand resource-circulating K-Smart Farms based on advanced ICT and renewable energy.

Candidate Lee also proposed pledges such as establishing a Jeonbuk historical and cultural tourism belt and fostering new drug development and advanced medical device industries. Considering the closure of the Southwest University medical school, he said, “We will promote the establishment of a public medical school in Namwon,” and added, “We will expedite the construction of Saemangeum Airport and actively support the construction of the Saemangeum Port railway, which is currently undergoing preliminary feasibility studies.”

Governor Lee said, “The pledges announced today are promises for the Jeonbuk residents who have long been left behind in development and at the same time significant promises for a sustainable Republic of Korea,” emphasizing, “I am well aware that similar promises have been repeated in Jeonbuk for a long time. Ultimately, it is not about the difference in pledge content but about who actually fulfills the promises and acts, not just talks.”

He continued, “Anyone can make rosy promises, but not everyone can fulfill them,” and stated, “Those who have kept their promises are the ones who keep them, and those who have acted are the ones who act. Those who have achieved results with the authority given so far will achieve results in the future as well.”

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