Jeonnam Province and Local National Assembly Members Unite with One Heart and One Mind to Resolve Policy Issues

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province and local members of the National Assembly have united in securing next year's national budget and resolving policy issues for the development of Jeonnam.

On the 30th, Jeonnam Province announced that Governor Kim Young-rok and local members of the National Assembly held a budget policy meeting in Yeouido, Seoul, to focus on securing next year's national budget and addressing urgent issues.

The meeting was attended by Governor Kim and senior officials, Kim Seung-nam, chairman of the Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party, all 10 members of the National Assembly including Kim Won-i, Joo Cheol-hyun, Kim Hoe-jae, So Byung-chul, Seo Dong-yong, Shin Jeong-hoon, Lee Gae-ho, Yoon Jae-gap, Seo Sam-seok, and Secretary-General Kim Gap-bong.

Ahead of the National Assembly's budget review starting in October, the province explained the status of the government budget proposal to local members of the National Assembly and introduced projects and policy issues to be increased during the National Assembly review.

There are 33 projects to be reflected during the National Assembly review stage. Major projects include ▲ Yeosu~Namhae Undersea Tunnel ▲ Chupo~Bigeum National Road No. 2 Connection Road ▲ Construction of Gwangyang Port 3-2 Phase Automated Container Terminal ▲ Establishment of Ultra-High-Power Large Laser Research Facility (increase) ▲ Installation of National Cardiovascular Center (increase) ▲ Creation of Agricultural and Food Climate Change Response Center ▲ Establishment of Kimchi Specialized Production Complex (increase) ▲ Construction of National Maritime Fisheries Museum, etc.

The province also requested early selection for preliminary feasibility study targets including ▲ Jeolla Line High-Speed Rail ▲ Offshore Wind Power Support Wharf and Hinterland Development ▲ Gwangju~Wando Phase 2 Expressway ▲ Establishment of National Subtropical Arboretum ▲ Creation of Dadohae Tidal Flat Wetland Garden.

The major policy issues discussed that day included ▲ National capacity building for hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Korea ▲ Establishment of a National Medical School in Jeonnam ▲ Improvement of offshore wind power systems and infrastructure construction ▲ Expansion of local resource facility tax imposition ▲ Creation of space launch vehicle industrial cluster ▲ Designation of national advanced medical complex ▲ Reflection of regional balanced development indicators in national R&D project selection, etc.

Governor Kim said, “This year, there were many achievements for Jeonnam’s development, including the inclusion of the Jeolla Line High-Speed Rail worth 1.783 trillion won, National and Local Roads District 10 in the national SOC plan, enactment of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Special Act, Korea Energy University Act, Hometown Love Donation Act, extension of the second phase fiscal decentralization special budget support, and establishment of the regional extinction fund,” adding, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local members of the National Assembly.”

He continued, “Next year’s government budget includes 7.5 trillion won in national funds. During the National Assembly budget review process, let us work together to increase and newly reflect this amount and ensure that 32 core tasks for Jeonnam’s development as a growth engine and 25 regional development tasks are adopted as national agenda items for the next government.”

In response, Chairman Kim Seung-nam and other local members of the National Assembly expressed agreement with Jeonnam’s regional development strategy, stating, “Jeonnam members of the National Assembly will become one team and do their best to secure the national budget,” and “We will also strive to improve the quality of life for residents by legislating laws related to regional issues and having Jeonnam development policy tasks adopted as presidential election pledges.”

The province plans to operate a National Assembly situation room until next year’s budget is finalized and actively explain the necessity of securing national funds by visiting party leadership, standing committees, and the Budget and Accounts Committee.

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