Democratic Party and Jeollanam-do Hold Budget Policy Council... Accelerating Long-Standing Projects

Explanation of Policy, Legislative, and National Funding Projects Including the National Medical School
Agreement to Cooperate on Securing Next Year's National Budget and Addressing Key Regional Issues

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, is taking a commemorative photo with key party leaders including Jeong Cheongrae, Party Leader; Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader; Seo Samsuk, Supreme Council Member; Han Jeongae, Chair of the Policy Committee; Han Byungdo, Chair of the Budget and Accounts Committee; Lee Seoyoung, Budget and Accounts Committee Secretary; and Park Seungwon, Chair of the Committee for Good Local Governments, at the "2025 Democratic Party-Jeollanam-do Budget Policy Council" held at the National Assembly Main Building on the 30th. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province announced that it has agreed to cooperate with the Democratic Party to secure next year's national budget and to address regional issues, including the swift establishment of a national medical school and a university hospital at Jeollanam-do Integrated University.

On September 30, Jeonnam Province held the "2025 Democratic Party-Jeonnam Province Budget Policy Council" in Room 245 of the National Assembly Main Building, where participants discussed key local issues and ways to resolve longstanding projects through securing national funds.

The council was attended by Democratic Party leaders including Jeong Cheongrae, Party Leader; Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader; Seo Samsuk, Supreme Council Member; Han Jeongae, Chair of the Policy Committee; Han Byungdo, Chair of the Budget and Accounts Committee; Lee Seoyoung, Budget and Accounts Committee Secretary; Park Seungwon, Chair of the Committee for Good Local Governments; Kwon Hyangyeop, Spokesperson; and Han Minsu, Chief of Staff to the Party Leader. Local National Assembly members such as Joo Cheolhyeon, Park Jiweon, Lee Gaeho, Shin Jeonghun, Kim Woni, Jo Gyeweon, Moon Geumju, and Kim Moonsu also participated. From Jeonnam Province, Governor Kim Youngrok and key executives were present.

Jeonnam Province presented 10 policy proposals, 5 legislative proposals, and 10 national budget proposals, requesting active support and cooperation from the party for next year's national funding, legislative activities, and institutional improvements.

The policy proposals included: the swift establishment of a national medical school and university hospital at Jeollanam-do Integrated University; creation of the Solaseado AI Energy Cluster; promotion of a mega project for a major transition in the petrochemical and steel industries; establishment of a national high-tech materials industrial complex in the Gwangyang and Suncheon areas; creation of an Asia-Pacific offshore wind power hub; establishment of a "Second Space Center" in the special space launch vehicle zone; development of Muan International Airport as a leading gateway airport in Northeast Asia; and fostering Yeosu and Gwangyang Ports as base ports for the Arctic route.

The legislative proposals included: reflecting special provisions in the "RE100 Industrial Complex Special Act"; enacting the "Jeollanam-do Energy and Marine Specialized City Special Act"; enacting the "Agro-Photovoltaic Special Act"; and enacting the "Southern Coastal Development Special Act," among others, for which cooperation was requested.

The national budget proposals included: national funding support for Jeonnam’s SOC (Social Overhead Capital) projects; establishing a master plan for the National Gim Industry Promotion Agency; creation of an AI-based advanced livestock convergence valley; building a digital-based resource circulation pilot complex; and constructing a private-exclusive space launch vehicle engine combustion test facility, with requests for additional national funding increases.

In particular, Governor Kim Youngrok requested full support so that the long-awaited "Jeollanam-do National Medical School" can open in 2027, asking for the allocation of more than 100 new medical school seats by February next year to ensure the opening of the national medical school at Jeollanam-do Integrated University.

Emphasizing the need to enact the "Jeollanam-do Energy and Marine Specialized City Special Act" to achieve balanced national development and overcome the crisis of local extinction, he also proposed the establishment of a special act containing tailored provisions such as renewable energy permitting rights, so that 1 trillion won in basic energy income can be achieved by 2030 through public-led renewable energy development.

Governor Kim further stated, "Special attention and support are needed for the smooth implementation of the 'Honam Region SOC Project,' which will serve as a new catalyst for Jeonnam’s development," and requested that more than 340 billion won in SOC budget be reflected and increased during the National Assembly’s review process to ensure the timely completion of ongoing Jeonnam SOC projects, including the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway (99.8 billion won).

He also requested support so that the COP33 UN Climate Change Convention, to be held in the Asia-Pacific region in 2028, can be jointly hosted with Yeosu as the center.

In response, Party Leader Jeong Cheongrae stated, "Visible support for Honam is necessary to implement the state philosophy of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which holds that special sacrifices require special compensation." He added, "We will actively consider swift completion of the Gwangju Songjeong-Mokpo section of the Honam High-Speed Railway and increasing the number of train operations, prompt establishment of the Mokpo-Suncheon Integrated Medical School, and supporting the establishment of the Gim Industry Promotion Agency to make gim a leading K-food brand."

The participants agreed on the importance of securing budget for Jeonnam’s development and pledged to work together until the National Assembly’s final budget approval.

Jeonnam Province plans to continue working closely with both ruling and opposition party leaders and local National Assembly members to secure as much funding as possible for projects not reflected in the government budget proposal.

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