People Power Party, Gwangju, and Jeonnam Collaborate on Current Projects

Budget Policy Consultation Meeting Held

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The People Power Party and Gwangju-Jeonnam joined forces to secure national funding and address key regional issues.

The People Power Party, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Jeonnam Province held a budget policy consultation meeting on the 4th, agreeing to actively cooperate in resolving issues and securing national funds.

On the morning of the same day, the People Power Party and Gwangju City held a budget policy consultation meeting attended by Kim Gi-hyeon, floor leader of the People Power Party; Kim Do-eup, chairman of the Policy Committee; Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Budget and Accounts Committee; Jeon Ju-hye, floor spokesperson; Budget and Accounts Committee members Bae Jun-young and Jeong Un-cheon; Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop; and heads of departments.

The consultation meeting was organized to exchange opinions on major regional issues in the Honam region’s three provinces?Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk?and on next year’s national funding projects that require additional or increased support during the National Assembly’s review process, and to discuss support measures at the party level.

Mayor Lee requested that the issue of relocating the Gwangju military airport be taken up as a national responsibility and included in the next presidential election pledges, with the enactment of special legislation to promote it as a national project to be resolved within the next president’s term.

He also requested amendments to related laws to expand benefits for compact cars to stabilize the Gwangju-type job model, support for workers’ housing costs, and the enactment of laws to support the development of the artificial intelligence industry.

On the day, Gwangju City explained the progress of seven major projects including ▲reflecting the solution to the Gwangju military airport relocation issue in the presidential election pledges ▲enactment of laws to establish a foundation for the development of the artificial intelligence industry ▲establishment of Gwangju Metropolitan Medical Center ▲expansion of compact car benefits to ensure the success of the Gwangju-type job model ▲completion of the Asia Culture Center City project ▲early commencement of the Gwangju-Daegu Dalbit High-Speed Railway ▲creation of the Bitgoeul Smart Mega City, and requested active interest and support to ensure smooth progress.

For next year’s national funding requests, they proposed 40 projects totaling 117.2 billion KRW, including ▲preliminary feasibility study for the establishment of the National High Magnetic Field Research Institute ▲expansion of facilities for preserving the May 18 World Documentary Heritage ▲construction of the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall ▲customized support for win-win regional jobs ▲establishment of a community-integrated care system for people with developmental disabilities ▲expansion of the transfer function at Gwangju Songjeong Station with an elevated station building ▲construction of the National Honam Youth Stepping Stone Center, and requested additional or increased funding from the National Assembly.

Floor leader Kim Gi-hyeon said, “We are well aware that the role of the People Power Party is more important than ever for the development of Gwangju,” adding, “We will work hard to support Gwangju’s great leap forward and strive for national balanced development.”

In the consultation meeting with Jeonnam Province, the province’s requests for next year’s national budget were reviewed and budget securing measures were discussed.

Governor Kim requested full support for five major policy issues: ▲establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam ▲creation of a space launch vehicle industry cluster ▲enactment of special legislation to establish an integrated organization for offshore wind power permits and approvals ▲expansion of national support for local rivers ▲expansion of national funding support for local and nationally supported local roads.

Regarding next year’s budget, he explained the necessity of 10 key projects including ▲construction of National Road No. 2 from Bigeum to Amtae in Sinan ▲construction of the Yeosu-Namhae undersea tunnel ▲construction of the automated container terminal at Gwangyang Port Phase 3-2 ▲establishment of a super-powerful laser research facility (increase) ▲installation of the National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Center (increase) ▲support for kimchi raw material supply complexes (increase) ▲construction of the National Maritime Fisheries Museum ▲expansion of functions at the Vaccine Safety Technology Support Center (increase) ▲AI-based advanced new drug development platform ▲creation of premium theme islands on the southern coast.

Governor Kim expressed gratitude to floor leader Kim Gi-hyeon and the leadership for their interest and support for regional issues, and requested, “Please actively cooperate at the party level so that many projects essential for opening Jeonnam’s future, as well as for East-West harmony and regional balanced development, are reflected in the National Assembly’s review process.”

He also emphasized, “I hope for active interest and support so that the Southern Coast Southern Region Mega City, which corresponds to the metropolitan and central regions in terms of Yeonghonam harmony and national balanced development, can be established.”

In response, floor leader Kim Gi-hyeon and the People Power Party leadership expressed deep sympathy for Jeonnam’s regional issues and replied, “The People Power Party will lend its strength for Jeonnam’s groundbreaking development.”

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