"No setbacks on current issues" ... Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam, requests Choi Sang-mok, Acting Chief, for 'Special Measures on Domestic Demand'

"We hope you will cooperate to ensure that major pending projects in Gyeongnam do not come to a halt midway or face setbacks."

On the 17th, Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, made this request during a meeting with Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (left), is making suggestions to Choi Sang-mok, Acting President, regarding the promotion of major projects in Gyeongnam. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

Governor Park attended a luncheon meeting with the 18th Executive Committee of the Council of Governors of Provinces and Cities and the Acting President held at the Government Seoul Office Building that day.

At the meeting, Governor Park requested active government support for stabilizing people’s livelihoods and advancing major pending projects.

In particular, he urged the government to maintain continuous interest and support to prevent major pending projects in Gyeongnam, which have reached the final stages or become concrete after two years of effort, from being stranded midway.

He emphasized, "The Republic of Korea is currently in a very difficult situation due to challenging domestic and international conditions and political and economic uncertainties. In such circumstances, the government must steadfastly carry out its original role according to the planned roadmap without wavering."

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is speaking at the luncheon meeting with the 18th Executive Committee of the Council of Governors and the Acting President. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

He continued, "Since last month, Gyeongnam Province has been operating the Livelihood Economy Stabilization Headquarters and a special period for livelihood measures. To revitalize the frozen domestic market, we plan to execute more than 65% of the budget early in the first half of the year and strengthen policy fund support for small business owners."

He added, "However, there are limits to responses at the local level. To recover domestic demand and minimize the adverse effects on the local industry caused by the inauguration of the new U.S. administration, extraordinary government-level measures are necessary."

In response, Acting Prime Minister Choi said, "We will have the Ministry of the Interior and Safety cooperate with the Council of Governors of Provinces and Cities to identify major policies that are delayed or require swift implementation, and seek solutions through ministerial-level meetings with related departments. We will also carefully review the requested pending issues in the Gyeongnam region and consider necessary support measures."

On this day, Governor Park proposed major pending issues including ▲ selection of national and regional strategic projects in development-restricted zones by the first quarter of 2025 ▲ adjustment of national road routes and smooth implementation of the 6th Construction Plan ▲ addition and selection of sites for the complex marine leisure tourism city contest ▲ lifting of military facility protection zones ▲ support for government contest projects for industrial complexes incorporating culture ▲ and deregulation of the 52-hour workweek system.

The 18th Executive Committee of the Council of Governors of Provinces and Cities of the Republic of Korea is composed of a president (Incheon), vice presidents (Gyeongnam, Sejong), and an auditor (Gwangju), with a term from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

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