Assemblyman Ando Geol Secures Final 179.3 Billion Won in National Funding for 2026

Budget Secured for 17 New Projects
Laying the Foundation for Regional Economic Growth

Ando Geol

Ando Geol, a member of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangju Dongnam-eul), announced on December 7 that a total of 179.3 billion won in national funding has been finalized for 48 major projects in Gwangju Dongnam-eul in the 2026 budget bill, which passed the National Assembly plenary session on December 2.

The total budget scale increased by 25 billion won (approximately 16%) compared to the original government proposal of 154.3 billion won. Along with 31 ongoing projects, 17 new projects have been additionally included, significantly strengthening the core foundation for regional development.

Assemblyman Ando stated, "By focusing on identifying 17 new projects that will lead the regional industry and cultural development of Gwangju Dongnam-eul in the 2026 government budget proposal and making every effort in project planning for national funding support, we have achieved the remarkable result of having all of them included."

Among next year's new projects related to building future medical, bio, and healthcare innovation infrastructure are: 1.6 billion won for the establishment of an AI Digital Aging Research and Demonstration Center (total project cost: 40 billion won); 2.45 billion won for creating an AI Healthcare Demonstration Complex (total project cost: 3.5 billion won); 135 million won for the design of Chonnam National University’s New Smart Hospital (total project cost: 964.5 billion won); and 1 billion won to support the global commercialization of AI digital aesthetic medical devices (total project cost: 24.2 billion won).

Projects needed to expand AI and digital-based urban environment, ecology, and safety infrastructure have also been added, including: 900 million won for the Dongbok Lake algae prevention project (total project cost: 1.8 billion won); 310 million won for the maintenance of Jungshimcheon and Gwangjucheon interceptor sewers (total project cost: 33.8 billion won); and 200 million won for the design of the Mudeungsan National Park Visitor Complex Center (estimated total project cost: 25 billion won).

Projects to strengthen the cultural, arts, and content industries and promote global branding have also been included: 1 billion won for the construction of the National History Museum (total project cost: 49.5 billion won); 500 million won for the construction of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (total project cost: 99.5 billion won); 100 million won for the creation of a literary experience space for author Han Kang (total project cost: 10 billion won); 2 billion won for the production and installation of a media facade at the Jeonnam Provincial Office (total project cost: 5.014 billion won); 300 million won for the establishment of an AI-based Asia Culture Archive Virtual Museum; 1.2 billion won for the production of webtoons utilizing Asian story IP; 1.5 billion won for the development and operation of popularization exhibition programs; and 600 million won for an international AI media art competition. These new additions ensure that design and project initiation budgets are thoroughly reflected in next year's government budget proposal.

The new project that Assemblyman Ando placed the greatest emphasis on is the establishment of the AI Digital Aging Research and Demonstration Center in the Seongkyo District.

Funding of 1.6 billion won has been allocated for cohort construction and design. This project, with a total budget of 40 billion won, aims to build a key hub facility equipped with digital healthcare, aging research, and industrialization functions to respond to a super-aged society.

Next, the AI Healthcare Demonstration Complex project will build a clinical demonstration infrastructure based on medical data, creating an industry-academia-research cooperation platform involving Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Harvard research institutes, and local universities. It is expected to become a core foundation for the demonstration of new drugs, medical devices, and healthcare technologies, as well as for supporting the growth of companies in the future.

The remodeling project for Chonnam National University’s New Smart Hospital has also taken its first step. This time, 135 million won has been allocated for design services, and the project will be implemented in phases through 2034.

The construction of the Mudeungsan National Park Visitor Complex Center is a long-standing wish of the region. Despite Mudeungsan being designated as a national park 12 years ago, it remains the only one among the 23 national parks nationwide without a visitor information center, causing significant inconvenience to both residents and visitors.

This project aims to dramatically improve the quality of Mudeungsan’s visitor services by establishing a complex center equipped with AI-based visitor information, experiential programs, and environmental and ecological education functions.

In addition, 72.67 billion won has been allocated for content development and operation at the National Asia Culture Center (ACC), which will expand creative opportunities for local artists and strengthen global content production.

Among these, new projects include the establishment of an AI-based Asia Culture Archive Virtual Museum (300 million won); an international AI media art competition (600 million won); a webtoon production project utilizing Asian story IP (1.2 billion won, ACC Foundation); and the development and operation of popularization exhibition programs (1.5 billion won, ACC Foundation), all of which have been newly included.

The project to rebuild the Jungshimsa Temple dining hall in Mudeungsan, which was destroyed by fire last year, is essential for restoring the cultural value of the heritage and improving visitor facilities. With this budget allocation, the momentum for smooth restoration work has been secured.

The Seongkyo Reservoir Multipurpose Lake Park project, a long-standing wish of Seongkyo District residents, had previously received national funding in 2021 and 2023 but was halted due to budget shortfalls. With this year’s budget allocation, the project is back on track and will play a major role in improving the underdeveloped living and cultural environment caused by development restrictions and providing residents with a stable leisure space.

Assemblyman Ando stated, "Securing budgets for long-awaited regional projects such as the Mudeungsan Visitor Complex Center, Chonnam National University’s New Smart Hospital, and the Seongkyo Reservoir Multipurpose Lake Park is highly significant. In particular, the inclusion of many new projects, such as the Aging Research and Demonstration Center and the AI Healthcare Demonstration Complex, which will reshape the future industrial landscape of Dongnam-eul, is the greatest achievement."

He added, "Execution is more important than securing the budget. I will work closely with ministries, Gwangju City, and project implementation agencies to ensure that not a single one of the 179.3 billion won in finalized funds is delayed, and I will take full responsibility through to the execution stage."

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