Rep. Samseok Seo: "Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan Budget Bill Passes National Assembly"

Seo: “Efforts to Improve Resident Safety, Settlement Conditions, and Revitalize the Regional Economy”

Samseok Seo, Member of the National Assembly.

The government budget plan for 2026, aimed at addressing key issues and improving the quality of life in Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly on December 3, 2025.

Samseok Seo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan, stated, "The inclusion of these budget items is a significant achievement that will bring about real changes in improving living conditions and securing future growth engines for residents in these three regions."

Yeongam-gun, Major Enhancement of New Growth Industries and Safety Infrastructure

For Yeongam-gun, the budget includes key projects to boost the region's future economic competitiveness and strengthen the safety infrastructure for residents. These projects include: ▲ 2.2 billion won (total 30.9 billion won) for establishing a production and manufacturing base for eco-friendly ship cryogenic insulation systems; ▲ 2 billion won (total 25 billion won) for building a test center for offshore wind power components (pitch and yaw bearings); and ▲ 500 million won (total 6.5 billion won) for improving aging facilities at the Daebul drainage pump station. These initiatives are expected to enhance manufacturing competitiveness and disaster response capabilities.

Notably, during the National Assembly's review, additional projects were included: ▲ 600 million won (total 40 billion won) for a design study to establish a fishing vessel construction support center; ▲ 2.4 billion won (total 15 billion won) for a design competition for the construction of the Yeongam Safety Experience Education Center; ▲ 100 million won (total 42.4 billion won) for installing a municipal solid waste incineration facility; and ▲ 180 million won (total 45 billion won) for a feasibility study for the construction of an international Baduk (Go) training center. These projects are expected to directly contribute to improving settlement conditions and enhancing safety.

In addition, the budget for Phase 1 of the Gwangju-Wando Expressway (Gwangju-Yeongam-Gangjin), totaling 133.6 billion won (total 1.9485 trillion won), has been fully allocated, accelerating improvements in regional accessibility.

Muan-gun, Fostering Agriculture AX·AI-based Industries... Balanced Support for Airport, Industrial Complex, and Environment

Muan-gun's budget includes a wide range of core projects to secure future agricultural competitiveness and expand industrial infrastructure. In connection with the national industrial complex specializing in distributed energy, the following projects have been included: ▲ 2.25 billion won (total 45 billion won) for the Agricultural AX Global Business Center; ▲ 2 billion won (total 40 billion won) for the Agricultural AX Demonstration Center; ▲ 3 billion won (total 30 billion won) for an AI-based growth support data center; and ▲ 20 billion won for the AI Advanced Agricultural Industry Complex (National Agricultural Industry AI Platform). These are expected to serve as vital foundations for advancing Korean agriculture.

The budget also includes ▲ 2 billion won (total 60 billion won) to support the Muan Aviation Specialized Industrial Complex, centered around Muan International Airport, which is expected to create jobs and diversify the local industry.

To expand tourism and ecological infrastructure, the following have been allocated: ▲ 900 million won (total 42 billion won) for the Jeonnam Tidal Flat Life Center; and ▲ 215 million won (total 35 billion won) for the implementation design of the Seungdalsan Forest Leisure Sports Center, both of which will help vitalize the regional economy.

For resident safety and environmental improvement, the budget includes: ▲ 200 million won (total 41.2 billion won) for downstream maintenance of the Muan Stream; ▲ 3 billion won (total 49.2 billion won) for flood prevention and sewer maintenance in the Seongnam district; and ▲ 950 million won for reducing non-point source pollution in Changpo Lake.

Major metropolitan infrastructure projects have also been reliably included: ▲ 9.6 billion won (total 1.85 trillion won) for facility improvements at Muan and Yeosu airports; ▲ 101.6 billion won (total 3.0274 trillion won) for Phase 2 of the Honam High-Speed Railway; and ▲ 2.8 billion won (total 43.9 billion won) for the construction of the Hyeongyeong-Haeje National Road.

Shinan-gun, Expansion of Island-Specific Infrastructure, Ecotourism, and Youth Settlement Support

For Shinan-gun, the budget secures a wide range of funds for living infrastructure tailored to island characteristics, as well as ecological and tourism infrastructure. Notably, ▲ 1 billion won (total 48 billion won) has been allocated to establish a salt production complex, a project that will strengthen the competitiveness of solar salt and further solidify the region's economic base.

In addition, with the promotion of the National Tidal Flat World Natural Heritage Headquarters and the designation of the National Marine Ecological Park, ▲ 2.1 billion won (total 3 billion won) has been allocated for remodeling the Shinan Tidal Flat Museum, further enhancing the ecological, educational, and tourism value of the Shinan tidal flats.

To support youth settlement, the budget includes: ▲ 630 million won (total 7.5 billion won) for smart greenhouse production facilities for young foresters; and ▲ 2 billion won for restoring island forest landscapes, both of which are expected to positively impact the region's settlement environment.

In particular, regarding Shinan-gun's key pledge to implement a basic income for rural and fishing communities, the adoption of a parliamentary opinion to ease the local government's financial burden (making it mandatory for the provincial government to cover 30% of the local government's 60% share) is considered a major achievement in reducing the financial burden on residents.

Comprehensive infrastructure projects to guarantee mobility rights for island residents have also been fully included: ▲ 10.3 billion won (total 399.5 billion won) for the Bigeum-Amtae National Road; ▲ 91.7 billion won (total 599.1 billion won) for National Road No. 77 between Aphae and Hwawon; ▲ 5.3 billion won (total 89.7 billion won) for the Sinjang-Bokryong National Road; and ▲ 4.8 billion won (total 641.1 billion won) for Heuksan Airport.

For public safety infrastructure, the budget includes: ▲ the reconstruction of Jido Police Substation (total 1.3 billion won); and ▲ the establishment of the Hongdo Police Center (total 560 million won), further strengthening the local safety net.

Seo emphasized, "Despite difficult circumstances, securing the necessary regional budget was the result of collaboration among the budget committee members for Gwangju and South Jeolla, the South Jeolla provincial government, and public officials from Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan. We will ensure that the secured budget leads to tangible improvements in residents' lives by meticulously overseeing project implementation."

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