Governor Lim Jirak of Hwasun Requests National Assembly’s Support for Metropolitan Railway and Semiconductor Company Attraction

Visited 15 Lawmaker Offices Across 5 Standing Committees and Budget Committee
Highlighted and Requested Support for 8 Key Local Development Issues

Lim Jirak, Governor of Hwasun County, visited the National Assembly to request support for local issues such as the inclusion of the Gwangju-Hwasun metropolitan railway in national plans, as well as efforts to attract semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies. Regarding the expansion of the Dongbok Dam related to the establishment of the Southwest Semiconductor Cluster, he stated that compensation for residents facing submersion or relocation and regional coexistence must be prerequisites.

On September 2, Governor Lim visited the offices of 15 lawmakers from five standing committees and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts at the National Assembly, where he explained eight major pending issues, according to an announcement on September 4.

County Governor Ji-Rak Lim (right in the photo) is explaining military issues to National Assemblyman Junghoon Shin. Provided by Hwasun County

First, the focus regarding the Dongbok Dam expansion and the attraction of semiconductor firms was on linking compensation for local residents with the securing of industrial infrastructure.

Governor Lim asked the offices of Assemblymen Shin Jeonghoon and Seo Wangjin, who serve on the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, to develop cooperation plans based on the premise of direct compensation for residents affected by submersion or relocation and overall resident coexistence.

He explained to the offices of Assemblymen Park Heeseung and Jeong Jinwook, members of the Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, the necessity of establishing a semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment industrial complex in Hwasun.

The underlying intent was to ensure that the attraction of related companies and the establishment of an industrial base would adequately compensate local residents for the sacrifices caused by the Dongbok Dam expansion. They also discussed support measures such as providing land for the timely progress of regional economic revitalization projects in areas impacted by early mine closures.

In terms of transportation, the governor proposed that the Gwangju-Hwasun metropolitan railway be included in the Fifth National Rail Network Construction Plan.

Additionally, he visited the offices of Assemblymen Lee Yongseon, Mo Kyongjong, and Jo Incheol, members of the Committee on Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to explain the need to connect Gwangju and Hwasun as a single living and economic area and requested joint action.

Requests also included incorporating the Gwangju No. 3 Circular Expressway, which connects Naju, Hwasun, and Damyang, and the Gwangju-Goheung Expressway passing through the Hwasun IC, into the Third Expressway Construction Plan.

Requests for housing supply and enhancement of medical infrastructure continued as well.

He asked the offices of Assemblymen Seo Samseok, Moon Keumjoo, and Lee Gaeho, members of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, to lift the agricultural promotion area designation for the proposed site of the Samcheon District urban development project in Hwasun, in order to meet new housing demand resulting from the creation of the semiconductor cluster.

To the offices of Assemblymen Jeon Jinsook and Jeon Jongdeok, who serve on the Health and Welfare Committee, Governor Lim proposed designating Hwasun as a regional advanced medical complex and providing national funding for the Hwasun County Nursing Hospital. These requests are aimed at expanding the advanced bioindustry base and supporting the operation of medical services at the Dementia Safe Hospital.

Governor Lim visited the offices of Assemblymen Ahn Dogeol, Lee Yeonhee, and Lee Kwangjae from the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, where he explained plans regarding the total project budget for the Hwasun County Economic Development Project and asked for future cooperation in securing national funds.

Governor Lim stated, "The issues raised today are essential projects that cannot be neglected as we prepare for the next 100 years of Hwasun. I will continue to cooperate with the National Assembly and government ministries."

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