Governor Kim Dongyeon Meets Prime Minister Kim Minseok to Discuss Returned USFK Bases and More

On August 7, Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Kim Minseok and discussed ways to cooperate with the Lee Jaemyung National Sovereignty Government. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Koo Yooncheol to request central government funding for major issues facing Gyeonggi Province.

On this day at the Seoul Government Complex, Governor Kim held a meeting with Prime Minister Kim Minseok and exchanged views on collaboration between Gyeonggi Province and the central government under three main agendas: the development of returned U.S. military bases, peace, and climate.

Governor Kim stated that he would take the lead in developing the returned U.S. military bases, which is a key pledge of President Lee Jaemyung and is related to the Greater Northern Gyeonggi Renovation Project.

He specifically mentioned President Lee Jaemyung's policy of "special compensation for special sacrifice," explaining, "For the past 70 years, residents of northern Gyeonggi have lived under the threat from North Korea. Now, as the President has said, if we succeed in developing the returned military bases, it could completely change the landscape." Prime Minister Kim was also reported to have expressed strong empathy, recognizing the potential of northern Gyeonggi.

Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province (left), warmly shakes hands with Prime Minister Kim Minseok before their meeting on the 7th. Courtesy of Gyeonggi Province

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Governor Kim also pledged to actively participate in the government's efforts to establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, starting from the upcoming 80th anniversary of Liberation Day on August 15 and continuing through the 7th anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration.

Regarding "climate," Governor Kim introduced Gyeonggi Province's climate tech cluster, the Gyeonggi RE100 initiative, and the climate insurance program first adopted by the province, proposing that Gyeonggi Province and the central government cooperate closely to address the climate crisis. Prime Minister Kim agreed with this proposal.

Prior to his meeting with the Prime Minister, Governor Kim met with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Koo Yooncheol and requested full central government funding of 10 billion won for the construction of the Sewol Ferry Memorial Facility and 7 billion won for the operation of the Ansan Trauma Center (Ansan Mental Health Center).

When Governor Kim explained that "the Sewol Ferry budget has been a stalled project under the Yoon Sukyeol administration," Deputy Prime Minister Koo expressed a positive stance toward providing support.

In addition, Governor Kim requested 355 billion won in central government funding for three major issues in Gyeonggi Province: the improvement of areas at risk of natural disasters, the semi-public operation of metropolitan buses under the Metropolitan Transport Authority, and the construction of the Okjeong-Pocheon metropolitan railway, all aimed at reducing natural disaster risks and expanding transportation infrastructure.

Finally, regarding the conclusion of the Korea-U.S. customs negotiations, Governor Kim highly praised the successful resolution of the difficult negotiations, to which Deputy Prime Minister Koo expressed his appreciation. During Governor Kim's tenure as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Koo Yooncheol served as Director-General of Budget at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a key position within the ministry.

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