Jeollanam-do Surpasses 10 Trillion Won in National Funding for the First Time... 'Projects Delayed Under Yoon Administration' Back on Track

Honam High-Speed Rail Phase 2: 570 Billion Won Allocated
More Than Double the Budget Secured Compared to Previous Administration
Major Acceleration Expected for Previously Stalled Project
Korea Energy Engineering University Budget Halved in 2024?2025
Original 25 Billion Won Annual Funding Restored
Synergy Expected with Artificial Sun Research Facility and Other Projects

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, held a press briefing on the 3rd at the provincial government briefing room regarding the "2026 National Treasury Proposal Government Budget Reflection Achievements," stating, "We have secured approximately 10.0042 trillion won in national funds, the largest ever, opening the era of the first 10 trillion won in national funds." Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do has ushered in the era of a "10 trillion won national budget" for the first time in history with next year's government budget. In particular, there is growing consensus that key regional projects, which had effectively stalled under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, have now returned to normal progress thanks to this budget.

Jeollanam-do announced that it has secured a total of 10.0042 trillion won in the 2026 government budget. This is the largest amount ever, and the province emphasized that it now has the foundation to enhance its future competitiveness.

◇ Honam High-Speed Rail Phase 2: 570 billion won allocated... "Restarting previously stalled projects"

The most notable highlight is the allocation of 570 billion won for Phase 2 of the Honam High-Speed Rail project, connecting Gwangju Songjeong, Muan International Airport, and Mokpo. This project, which will directly link KTX and Muan International Airport, is a key initiative to complete the tourism and logistics axis in the southwestern region.

However, during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, budget allocation for this project was sluggish, with only 260 billion won assigned this year. This was largely due to subtle political factors. Additionally, variables such as cultural heritage surveys and geological issues further delayed progress, leaving the construction completion rate below 50%. The original goal of opening by the end of 2026 has also been postponed by more than a year to December 2027.

Jeollanam-do stated, "With more than double the budget secured, we will accelerate the construction of the railway line and the ordering of electrical facilities."

◇ Korea Energy Engineering University: Budget normalization after two years... "The institution most affected under the Yoon administration"

The budget for Korea Energy Engineering University, the world's only university specializing in energy, has also been significantly restored. Key funding, including 25 billion won in government subsidies and 12 billion won for the establishment of superconducting conductor testing facilities, has been fully reflected in the budget.

Korea Energy Engineering University is cited as a prime example of an institution that suffered severe budget cuts under the previous administration. Contrary to the government's original commitment to provide 25 billion won annually for ten years from 2021, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration reduced and cut the budget by about 10 billion won (a 5 billion won cut in 2024 and another 10 billion won cut in 2025), causing significant operational difficulties for the university.

After the state of emergency and the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, an additional 10 billion won was secured in the second supplementary budget this year to make up for the shortfall, but it is widely regarded that the university experienced its greatest crisis since its founding over the past two years.

The normalization of the budget, coupled with the allocation for the superconducting conductor facility, is expected to create significant synergy with efforts to attract the artificial sun research facility (based on ITER) currently being pursued in Naju.

Experts in the regional energy industry commented, "This is a symbolic measure showing that Jeonnam's projects, which had effectively stalled under the Yoon administration, are now back on track," adding, "Jeonnam's long-term strategic plans are expected to gain momentum for the time being."

◇ Muan 'AI Advanced Agri-Industry AX' Cluster Accelerates

Jeollanam-do has also taken the first step in the Muan Agriculture AX (Agri Transformation) project, which it has been preparing for some time.

The new budget includes 4.5 billion won for the design of the Agriculture AX Demonstration Center (with a total project cost of 40 billion won), 3 billion won for the design of an AI-based growth support data center (total project cost of 30 billion won), and 2.3 billion won for the design of the Agriculture AX Global Business Center (total project cost of 45 billion won).

Since last year, Jeollanam-do has been requesting a government feasibility study for the "AI Advanced Agri-Industry Cluster" project in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, valued at 570 billion won.

The core of the plan is to link private sector advanced agricultural machinery development with practical demonstrations and to establish facilities based on crop growth data, ultimately forming a comprehensive cluster based on these achievements.

These three projects are considered the core of the "Jeonnam-style AI Agri-Industry Cluster" (totaling 570 billion won). Jeollanam-do aims to foster the "next-generation high value-added AI-based agriculture and fisheries industry" by linking this with the National Agriculture AX Platform (20 billion won).

◇ Major Investments in Tourism, Culture, and Forest Healing Projects

There is also growing interest in tourism. The new budget includes 1 billion won for the Baeksu Coast tourism landscape project in Yeonggwang, 500 million won for expanding tourism stays in Damyang, and 400 million won for the K-Temple Food Tourism Landmark project in Jangseong. Additionally, 2 billion won has been allocated for the "2026 Year of Visiting Islands" project, 200 million won for the construction of a traditional culture experience facility at Gucheungam, Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye to revitalize the local economy using traditional resources, and 500 million won for a feasibility study for the National Dadohae Forest Healing Center, the first coastal forest healing center to meet the forest welfare needs of the southern coastal region spanning Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam.

To support the rise of the southern coastal region as a global tourism hub, 66.3 billion won has been evenly allocated across 36 regional projects as part of the Southern Region Integrated Tourism Development Project.

In particular, the Gucheungam experience facility at Hwaeomsa Temple is being recognized as "a new tourism model that goes beyond food- and sightseeing-centered tourism by incorporating traditional temple culture."

An official from Jeollanam-do stated, "Surpassing the 10 trillion won mark in next year's national budget is not just about the numbers. It should be seen as building the infrastructure that will lead Jeonnam into the future." The official added, "The projects reflected in this year's national budget are mainly focused on advanced industries and tourism, which are classified as future growth engines for the region. It is also important to work in close alignment with the Lee Jaemyung administration."

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