Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok and Local National Assembly Members United in 'One Heart, One Mind' to Resolve Current Issues

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok and National Assembly members from the Jeonnam region are joining forces to resolve key issues such as the Jeonnam-Gwangju semiconductor specialized complex and the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study for the Jeolla Line high-speed railway.

On the 13th, Jeonnam Province held a budget policy consultation meeting with the Jeonnam Provincial Party of the Democratic Party of Korea to discuss regional issues and plans to secure national funding for next year.

Present at the meeting were Governor Kim, Kim Seung-nam, chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party of the Democratic Party of Korea, National Assembly members Joo Cheol-hyun, Kim Hoe-jae, So Byung-chul, Shin Jeong-hoon, Lee Gae-ho, Yoon Jae-gap, Seo Sam-seok (in order of constituencies), and Kim Gap-bong, secretary general of the provincial party.

Prior to the budget consultation, National Assembly members from the Jeonnam region adopted two joint petitions to stabilize rice supply and prices and to designate the Jeonnam-Gwangju semiconductor specialized complex, contributing to the resolution of Jeonnam’s regional issues.

Governor Kim said, “It is timely and deeply appreciated on behalf of the residents that the joint petitions urging measures to stabilize rice supply and prices and to establish the Gwangju-Jeonnam semiconductor specialized complex were adopted. The rice price issue is the most important livelihood matter for the residents.”

He continued, “Please actively support the designation of the Jeonnam-Gwangju semiconductor specialized complex, the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam Province, the enactment of a special law to establish an integrated wind power permit organization, and the construction of an ultra-high-power laser research facility in Jeonnam.”

He also mentioned the expansion of infrastructure (SOC) in the Honam region.

He explained, “It is necessary to exempt the Jeolla Line (Iksan-Yeosu) high-speed railway from the preliminary feasibility study, revise the second highway construction plan (2021-2025) to include the Gwangju-Goheung highway and the Gwangju-Yeongam ultra-highway, upgrade the Jangheung-Goheung connecting bridge to a national highway, and expedite the preliminary feasibility study for the second phase of the Gwangju-Wando highway.”

Additionally, he requested the establishment of a ‘Regional Balanced Development Local Road System’ allowing national funding for local connecting and island roads, raising the subsidy rate for nationally supported local roads from 70% to 100%, upgrading local rivers that meet national river designation criteria to national rivers, and improving the local river system so that major local rivers can receive national support similar to nationally supported local roads.

He also proposed reflecting national plans and securing national funding for 45 pending projects including the establishment of a basic plan for the Southern Region Metropolitan Tourism Development Project worth over 3 trillion won, creation of a national tidal flat wetland garden, construction of the National Mahan History and Culture Center, revitalization projects for fishing villages (fishing village and fishing port regeneration), establishment of a hydrogen industry convergence platform in the Gwangyang Bay area, construction of an elastic material belt in the South Coast area, creation of the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex, establishment of the National Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Research Institute, formation of a space launch vehicle industry cluster, establishment of an agricultural and food climate change response center, and creation of a national subtropical arboretum.

Along with this, he asked for active support and encouragement from regional National Assembly members for the creation of offshore wind power and carbon-neutral specialized complexes, attracting 100 million tourists and 3 million overseas tourists to revitalize the tourism industry, and the successful promotion of the Suncheonman Garden Expo and the Yeosu World Island Expo.

Kim Seung-nam, chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party, responded, “Together with the National Assembly members present here, we will do our best to reflect the national plans for key issues leading Jeonnam’s development and to secure national funding. We will also strive for legislative activities such as enacting and revising laws related to regional issues and improving the quality of life for residents.”

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