Gyeongsangnam-do and People Power Party Join Forces on Securing Next Year’s National Budget and Addressing Key Regional Issues

Gyeongsangnam-do discussed ways to cooperate on major national funding projects and resolving regional pending issues with the Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party, ahead of the National Assembly’s deliberation on the central government’s 2027 budget proposal.

On the 14th, Gyeongsangnam-do held a 'Budget Policy Consultation Meeting' at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.

The Budget Policy Consultation Meeting aims to protect Gyeongnam's key projects included in the government's budget during the National Assembly review stage, and to enable the provincial government and local politicians to respond jointly to projects that require additional inclusion and to major local pending issues.

The meeting, which included explanations of provincial issues, proposals for next year's budget projects, an open discussion and a luncheon, was attended by Governor Park Wansu, Park Sangwoong, head of the People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party, 12 National Assembly members from the Gyeongnam region, and about 35 senior provincial officials.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is explaining the necessity of support for major issues and national fund projects at the budget and policy consultation meeting with the Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

Governor Park said, "Based on the foundations laid during the 8th popularly elected administration, the 9th term must be the era when Gyeongnam makes a definite leap forward," adding, "Many issues directly affecting Gyeongnam’s future await decisions in the National Assembly and government, so I ask the local political leadership to unite and lend their strength."

Governor Park first urged for the passage of the 'Special Act on South Coast Region Development' and the 'Special Act on the Construction of the Aerospace Complex City' during this regular National Assembly session.

He also called for active support so that, in the second round of public institution relocation, the agencies necessary for Gyeongnam’s industry and regional development can be properly allocated.

He went on to ask for support to ensure that key issues which will expand Gyeongnam’s industrial and transportation foundation—such as the Changwon Defense and Nuclear Convergence National Industrial Complex and the Dongdaegu-Changwon high-speed railway—are included in government plans.

Regarding securing national funds, he emphasized, "Projects included in the government’s proposal must be firmly maintained through the National Assembly’s review. As for projects not included or insufficiently funded, additional funds must be secured. Please make sure to closely monitor so Gyeongnam's leap forward is fully reflected in the final budget."

The 'Budget Policy Council' involving Gyeongsangnam-do and the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party is being held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. [Photo by Gyeongsangnam-do]

Governor Park also specifically mentioned local government financial concerns arising from the creation of the Future Response Fund.

He stated, "While resources to be allocated to local governments are decreasing, the burden on local governments for welfare and basic income for rural and fishing communities keeps growing. Alongside securing national funds, please make sure that the sustainability of local finances is thoroughly considered during the National Assembly review process."

On this day, Gyeongsangnam-do requested support and cooperation for 26 major current issues and 32 key national funding projects for the coming year and proposed a total increase of 153.3 billion won for national fund projects at the National Assembly’s review stage.

The major proposals included: ▲ Construction of the Southern Inland Railway (Gimcheon–Geoje); ▲ Construction of roads to be included in the 6th National and Local Road Construction Plan (9 routes); ▲ Construction of the Geoje-Tongyeong Expressway; ▲ Establishment of a support center for testing and inspection of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) manufacturing components; ▲ Establishment of an integrated 3D printing technology support center specialized in the space industry; and ▲ Relocation and new construction of Geochang Red Cross Hospital.

Alongside urging the enactment of the 'Special Act on Aerospace Complex City Construction' and the 'Special Act on South Coast Region Development,' which are the most pressing issues, Gyeongsangnam-do is also calling for the swift enactment of the 'Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Industry Cooperation and Support Special Act' to strengthen the global competitiveness of shipbuilding in the province.

In addition, requests were made for the following: designation of Gyeongnam as the first mega-special zone; selection and prompt implementation of national strategic projects such as the creation of the Changwon Defense and Nuclear Convergence National Industrial Complex; reflection in the 7th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan for projects like expanding Sacheon Airport infrastructure to serve as the capital of the aerospace industry and establishing the South Coast Region as a global tourism hub; and upgrading the Geoje–Gadeok Expressway and securing national funds for its support.

The need to maximize the inclusion of Gyeongnam’s key projects in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan, the 2nd Comprehensive National Road Network Plan, and the 3rd Expressway Construction Plan, as well as the necessity to expand wide-area transportation networks to foster national strategic industries, was also emphasized.

Additionally, the province requested the relocation of major public institutions (such as KIAT and KOTRA) to Gyeongnam and bringing the integrated headquarters of power generation public enterprises to Gyeongnam Innovation City, calling on politicians to cooperate in protecting local growth foundations and essential infrastructure.

It also proposed raising the national funding share for the basic income pilot project for rural and fishing communities, upgrading local rivers to national rivers, and explained the issues the new Future Response Fund poses for local government finances. Recommendations for improving the system to secure additional local finances were also made.

Park Sangwoong, head of the People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party, said, "Now is when the real work begins. We will do everything to ensure that not a single project reflected in the government’s proposal is omitted, and for key Gyeongnam projects that have been insufficiently funded or left out, we will make sure they are revived and newly included during the National Assembly’s review."

He continued, "Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeongnam’s National Assembly members, and the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party must act as a single team and speak with one voice. Our unity will not just be words; we will show its strength through results by preserving projects and increasing the budget."

Separately from the meeting with the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party, Gyeongsangnam-do is seeking to hold a consultation meeting with National Assembly members of the Democratic Party of Korea whose constituencies are in the province.

The province also plans to further strengthen cooperation with local legislators and, in line with the National Assembly's budget review schedule, to operate a national funding situation room—continuing an all-out effort to ensure that Gyeongnam’s main national projects and key issues for 2027 are ultimately included in the National Assembly’s budget deliberations and government policy.

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