Shin Jeong-hoon Secures Additional 18.4 Billion KRW in 11 National Budget Projects for Naju and Hwasun

Energy New Industry Hub Naju and Bio Medical Hub Hwasun as a Launchpad for Advancement

Shin Jeong-hoon, Member of the National Assembly (Naju·Hwasun, Jeollanam-do), announced that the 2024 budget bill, which includes 186 projects totaling 590.02 billion KRW for Naju City and Hwasun County, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 21st.

During the National Assembly budget review process, a total of 11 items amounting to 18.416 billion KRW were increased.

The additionally reflected budget includes ▲ 3.3 billion KRW for Korea Energy Engineering University project support ▲ 200 million KRW for feasibility study service for the construction of the National Specialized Science Museum ▲ 250 million KRW for domestic timber wooden architecture demonstration project ▲ 1 billion KRW for the establishment of Bitgaram Children's Experience Center ▲ 2.52 billion KRW for the establishment of a university-industry cooperation incubating smart farm ▲ 7.9 billion KRW (competitive) for fostering the Global Innovation Special Zone ▲ 1.8 billion KRW for the maintenance of historical and cultural areas (Naju/Haenam) ▲ 200 million KRW for the commencement cost of the construction of the local road from Geumcheon, Naju to Doam, Hwasun ▲ 250 million KRW for the construction of the Hwasun Veterans Hall ▲ 500 million KRW for the establishment of a strategy for utilizing abandoned mine tunnels ▲ 500 million KRW for diagnosis, performance evaluation, and additional designation necessity study of the advanced medical complex, among others.

An additional 3.3 billion KRW was secured for the ‘Korea Energy Engineering University project support fund,’ bringing the total to 20 billion KRW, including the government budget proposal of 16.7 billion KRW.

After the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, funding for Korea Energy Engineering University was drastically cut due to political oppression, but despite the government's strong resistance, some budget increases were achieved at the National Assembly stage after great efforts. Despite the government's oppression, Korea Energy Engineering University is expected to play a leading role in carbon neutrality, new energy industries, and advanced scientific technology.

Securing 200 million KRW for the ‘feasibility study service for the construction of the National Specialized Science Museum’ has also laid the foundation for establishing an energy specialized science museum that realizes region-led autonomous innovation and growth.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is promoting the ‘Global Innovation Special Zone Fostering Project,’ which designates global innovation special zones in advanced fields. Related to this project, 7.9 billion KRW was secured for four regions including Naju. Naju has applied for the ‘energy industry’ sector as a global innovation special zone project to capture the global market.

The 1 billion KRW budget for the ‘Bitgaram Children's Experience Center establishment’ is intended to expand sports and leisure facilities for about 9,000 children in Bitgaram-dong. Linked with the ongoing children's theme park project in Bitgaram Lake Park, a youth-friendly space will be created, providing a groundbreaking opportunity to improve residential conditions in the innovation city.

Recently, the ‘Hwasun Mining Economic Promotion Development Project,’ with a planned national budget of 87 billion KRW, was selected as a preliminary feasibility study project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Residents of Dong-myeon, Hwasun, have persistently advocated for the promotion of economic development projects in the abandoned mine area. With the additional 500 million KRW secured for the ‘strategy establishment service for utilizing abandoned mine tunnels,’ a foundation was laid to maintain and manage the tunnels until the economic promotion development project is established.

Five hundred million KRW was secured for the ‘diagnosis, performance evaluation, and additional designation necessity study of the advanced medical complex.’ Based on the vaccine special zone and vaccine safety technology support center, this has opened a path for the designation of the Gwangju·Jeonnam advanced medical complex following Osong and Daegu.

Assemblyman Shin Jeong-hoon said, “Despite the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s fiscal austerity, these achievements were possible thanks to the unwavering support and encouragement of the citizens of Naju and Hwasun, as well as the strong support of Jeollanam-do National Assembly members.” He added, “Since early this year, we have gone through a process of persuading projects in Naju and Hwasun to reflect and secure as much budget as possible. Securing national funds has provided the momentum to carry out city and county administration without setbacks.”

He continued, “I hope the 2024 budget passed by the National Assembly will serve as a stepping stone for Naju to become the ‘Mecca of New Energy Industries’ and Hwasun to become the ‘Hub of Bio-Medical.’ I would like to thank Naju Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, Hwasun County Governor Gu Bok-gyu, related officials, and the heads of the Seoul and Sejong offices who worked together from the government budget formulation to the National Assembly review.”

He also added, “I would like to especially thank Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo, Budget Committee Chairman Seo Sam-seok, and Budget Committee Secretary Kang Hoon-sik for their thoughtful support and cooperation throughout the process of securing additional budget in the National Assembly.”

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