Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong Launches All-Out Effort to Secure 'Gwangju Budget' Ahead of National Assembly Budget Review

Budget Policy Meeting Held with National Assembly Members from Gwangju Region

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kang Gijeong, mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, has launched an all-out effort to secure the "Gwangju budget" together with members of the National Assembly ahead of the National Assembly budget review.

On the 27th, Gwangju City held a budget policy council at the National Assembly and requested active support and cooperation from National Assembly members from the Gwangju region.

The budget policy council was attended by Mayor Kang Gijeong, heads of Gwangju City’s departments and bureaus, and 10 National Assembly members based in the Gwangju area, including Yoon Youngdeok, Lee Byunghun, Song Gapseok, Jo Oseop, Lee Hyungseok, Lee Yongbin, and Kim Kyungman of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kwon Eunhee of the People Power Party, Kang Eunmi of the Justice Party, and independent Min Hyungbae.

Independent lawmaker Yang Hyangja was unable to attend due to a scheduled overseas business trip on the day.

This budget policy council was organized to request national funding support for six local issues, including the creation of a semiconductor specialized complex, establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) gifted high school, and development of a future automobile national industrial complex, aiming to leap forward as the Silicon Valley of Korea and secure future growth engines, as well as for 25 projects requiring increased funding in the National Assembly’s standing committees and the Budget and Accounts Committee.

Gwangju City emphasized the need for active interest and support to ensure smooth progress on six major local projects: ▲legislation for state-led military airport relocation ▲creation of the Gwangju-Jeonnam semiconductor specialized complex ▲establishment of the National AI Gifted High School ▲development of the Gwangju future automobile national industrial complex ▲support for attracting a nationally supported complex shopping mall ▲expansion of national funding for the Asia Culture Centered City project.

Additionally, for 25 national projects requiring increased funding, including ▲creation of an AI-centered industrial convergence cluster ▲strengthening capabilities of small and medium parts companies transitioning to future vehicles ▲establishment of a digital-based future vehicle parts technology commercialization platform ▲construction of an AI innovation growth support center ▲establishment of an electric vehicle (EV)-based mobility demonstration cluster ▲Gwangju International Performance Fair ▲creation of a historical cultural tourism belt linked to the National Asia Culture Center (ACC) ▲nurturing AI startups based on a healthcare big data platform ▲development of sensor verification data acquisition technology to improve recognition performance under driving conditions ▲construction of the 3rd ring highway network, Gwangju requested active cooperation to secure an additional 74.1 billion KRW in project funds.

Lee Byunghun, chairman of the Democratic Party’s Gwangju branch, said, “From the start of the budget season, the situation between the government and the National Assembly is not favorable and it seems it will greatly affect the budget. The government’s will for regional balanced development is not strong, and difficulties are expected amid tax cut policies and a tight budget stance, but the National Assembly and Gwangju City will work closely together and do their best to secure the budget.”

Mayor Kang Gijeong said, “Thanks to the efforts of the lawmakers working together in this difficult political situation, the government budget proposal increased by 94 billion KRW compared to last year, but there are great concerns amid the government’s tight fiscal policy. There are many parts that need new inclusion or increase, and budgets included in the government proposal that must be well maintained. Since people’s livelihoods are more difficult than ever, the National Assembly should unite to secure budgets prioritizing livelihoods such as local currency and senior job programs.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju City’s 2023 government budget proposal includes 3.2397 trillion KRW, an increase of 94 billion KRW compared to the 2022 government budget proposal. Ahead of the National Assembly’s review of the government budget proposal, Gwangju City established a “National Funding Securing Situation Room” at its Seoul headquarters and plans to concentrate all administrative efforts, including visiting standing committee members, local National Assembly members, and Budget and Accounts Committee members to explain and seek understanding of major projects until the 2023 government budget is finalized by the National Assembly.

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