"Southwestern Coast Set for Transformation"... Haenam and Wando Go All-Out to Secure National Funding

Kwangjae Lee, Chairman of the National Assembly Budget Committee, Makes First On-Site Visit, Joins Hands With Assemblyman Jiwon Park and Others

Haenam Requests National Funding for AI, Climate Hubs, and Regional Transportation Networks

Wando Appeals for Support for "Abalone Industry Revival" Innovation Hub and More

A large-scale effort to secure national funding, poised to reshape the southwestern coast of Jeollanam-do, has officially begun.

For the first time in the country, the Chairman of the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts personally visited the region. During the meeting, Haenam County presented its vision for an AI and climate response-centered "future growth engine," while Wando County, standing at a crossroads over the revival of its abalone industry, urged the central government for comprehensive support for their respective customized megaprojects and infrastructure expansion.

On the morning of the 25th, the "Haenam-Wando-Jindo National Budget Policy Meeting" was held in the situation room at Wando County Office, attended by Kwangjae Lee, Chairman of the National Assembly Budget Committee, National Assembly member Jiwon Park (Haenam, Wando, Jindo), Hyeongwan Myung, Mayor of Haenam County, Shin Kim, Mayor of Wando County, and other key local government officials.

The "Haenam, Wando, and Jindo National Budget Policy Meeting" was held on the morning of the 25th with the attendance of Lee Kwang-jae, Chairman of the National Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Park Ji-won, Myung Hyun-kwan, Mayor of Haenam County, and Kim Shin, Mayor of Wando County. Provided by Haenam County

During the meeting, Haenam County highlighted its "future strategic projects" that align with the nation's growth strategy. Mayor Hyeongwan Myung requested seamless implementation of the "National Agricultural and Food Climate Change Response Center," which is scheduled to break ground in the second half of this year and become operational in 2028.

Mayor Myung emphasized, "Urgent national support is needed so that we can play a pivotal role in responding to the climate crisis and leading a major transition in AI-based agriculture and fisheries." He also requested that 5 billion won in design costs be allocated for 2027 to establish an "AI Data Center Testbed" with a total project budget of 95 billion won, fully funded by the central government.

Furthermore, he strongly stressed the necessity of expanding the regional transportation network in southwestern Korea by calling for: inclusion of the Seoul-Haenam-Wando high-speed railway in the "5th National Rail Network Construction Plan" and the construction of a Gwangju-Haenam Solaseado expressway as key components for the success of megaprojects such as the semiconductor industry in the Honam region.

The host, Wando County, placed its utmost priority on reviving the abalone industry, which is the heart of its local economy, and on improving transportation convenience. Mayor Shin Kim explained the current situation, where Wando, which accounts for 74% of national abalone production, has seen sharp declines in procurement prices due to oversupply and sluggish consumption.

To ensure sustainable growth, Mayor Kim called for: the establishment of a "National Abalone Industry Innovation Hub" with a total investment of 50 billion won (25 billion won in national funding); and the allocation of 7 billion won in project costs to reduce abalone cage farms by 15% (reducing 160,000 out of 1.08 million cages). He also appealed for the simultaneous feasibility review and inclusion of the first phase "Yaksan-Geumil Island Bridge" section of National Route 27 (Wando to Goheung) in the "6th National Road and Local Highway Construction Plan," which would form a foundation for balanced regional development.

The National Assembly also responded actively. Chairman Kwangjae Lee stated, "Abalone, following seaweed, has ample potential to become a major global export item. We must thoroughly prepare by actively reviewing processed product types and overseas consumption trends."

Assemblyman Jiwon Park also pledged, "We will do our utmost to secure government funding and institutional support to ensure the seamless implementation of the agreed-upon comprehensive abalone industry measures. In particular, I will help to ensure that the construction of the Yaksan-Geumil Island Bridge, which is vital to local residents' livelihoods, proceeds swiftly."

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