Kim Minseok Vows to Become Jeonbuk's Chief Advocate and Development Planner

Budget Policy Meeting Held with Democratic Party Leadership

Requests Submitted for Next Year's Funding: Saemangeum, Hyundai Motor, and Financial Sector

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province has begun in earnest to secure parliamentary funding for projects that were either left out of the government’s budget proposal or had their scales reduced.

On September 9, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and the Democratic Party of Korea held a Budget Policy Meeting at the provincial government’s integrated situation room to discuss joint response measures for securing the national budget for 2027 and resolving key regional issues.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and the Democratic Party of Korea held a budget policy consultation meeting on the 9th at the provincial government office's comprehensive situation room to jointly respond to securing the national budget for 2027 and resolving key local issues. Kim Minseok (left), leader of the Democratic Party, and Lee Wontak, governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, are seen conversing. Courtesy of Jeonbuk Provincial Government Office

The meeting was attended by Democratic Party leader Kim Minseok, Floor Leader Han Byungdo, Policy Committee Chair Kwon Chilsung, and other party leaders. Regional lawmakers, including Yoon Junbyung, Chair of the Jeonbuk Provincial Party, as well as Governor Lee Wontak, key provincial officials, and members of the Jeonbuk Provincial Council, were also present.

During the parliamentary review of the budget, Jeonbuk put particular focus on projects that could change the region’s future industrial landscape, rather than only addressing ordinary local issues.

Priority items for increased funding identified by Jeonbuk Province in advanced industry sectors included: the establishment of a K-Robot Physical AI Validation and Sharing Center; the creation of a comprehensive support system for Physical AI full-stack; the construction of a dedicated space radiation impact assessment facility; and the development of a robot part cluster cooperative rental factory.

Jeonju, Iksan, and other regional hub projects were also presented for parliamentary support. These included: the relocation and construction of Jeonju Correctional Institution; the establishment of a National Social Economy Talent Development Center; the creation of the KTX Iksan Station Complex Transfer Hub; the building of the Korean Film & Video Demonstration Complex; the construction of the National Jirisan Forest Healing Center; and the Baekje Royal Palace Geummajeo Historic and Cultural Area initiative.

Governor Lee Wontak stated, "Although we have broken the 10 trillion won barrier for the first time in the government’s proposal, the results that provincial residents actually feel will ultimately be determined during the parliamentary review. By combining the efforts of party leadership and local political representatives, whose support we have unified here today, we will ensure that key future industry and provincial projects are definitely included in the final budget bill."

In response, Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pledged support at the party level for the development of Jeonbuk.

Kim emphasized, "I promise to become both the strongest political representative and the master planner for Jeonbuk’s progress. I am firmly convinced that Saemangeum will become a new milestone not only for Korea but also for the Asian and world economy."

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