Hadong County and Representative Seo Cheonho Discuss Regional Issues and Securing National and Provincial Funding

Discussion on Reflecting 17 Projects in Government Policies, Including Education, Industry, Transportation, and Environment
Requests for Cooperation on Projects Such as the Hadong Campus of Changwon National University and the Pumped-Storage Power Plant

Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province discussed countermeasures with the local National Assembly member to reflect regional issues in government policies and secure national and provincial funding for 2027.

The county announced on October 1 that it held a policy meeting at the county office's small conference room, inviting National Assembly member Seo Cheonho to discuss major regional issues and strategies for securing national and provincial funding.

The meeting was attended by National Assembly member Seo Cheonho, Chairman Kang Heesoon of the Hadong County Council, Kim Guyeon, Chairman of the Economic and Environmental Committee of Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council, Kim Jutae, Director of Hadong and Namhae Branch at Korea Rural Community Corporation, Hadong County Governor Kim Hyunsoo, and about 20 other county officials and related personnel.

[Photo by Hadong County] Hadong County held a policy briefing session in a small conference room at the county office, inviting National Assembly member Seocheon Ho. The meeting was attended by Kim Hyunsu, Hadong County Governor, and representatives from local agencies and the council, where they discussed major regional issues and strategies for securing national and provincial funds for 2027.

On this day, Hadong County explained 17 current issues related to education, environment and fisheries, industry and economy, transportation, and infrastructure, and requested cooperation on reflecting these matters in government policies and national plans, as well as securing national funding.

In the field of education and population, the county presented as major issues the establishment of the Hadong campus of Changwon National University and the application for designation as a leading region in educational innovation.

In the environment and fisheries sector, the county proposed the establishment of a new Seomjin River Basin Environmental Office in Hadong, the attraction of this office to Hadong, hosting a National Assembly policy forum on countermeasures for salt damage due to the creation of the Honam Semiconductor Cluster, and attracting facilities related to nationally important fishery heritage.

In the industry and economy sector, explanations included the need to attract a pumped-storage power plant in Hadong, the participation of Gyeongnam Development Corporation in public development to normalize the Galsa Industrial Complex, and the establishment and attraction of a food tech research support center, with requests for cooperation from relevant agencies.

For transportation network expansion, proposals included having KTX-Eum trains stop at Hadong Station on the Gyeongjeon Line, the early expansion of National Route 19, the expansion of National Route 2 to four lanes, and the expansion of the Sacheon IC to Hadong IC section of the Namhae Expressway to six lanes.

The project list also included local road network projects such as the construction of the Byeoksollyeong Tunnel connecting Hadong Hwagae and Hamyang Macheon, special grant funding for the construction of the Second Namdo Grand Bridge, and the expansion and paving of the Bipaji District on County Road No. 7 in Hadong-eup.

In the agricultural infrastructure sector, the county explained the need for dredging the Songwon Reservoir to ensure a stable supply of agricultural water.

These projects require reflection in government policies and national plans, selection through open competition, consultations with relevant agencies, and the securing of national and provincial funding, making reviews and related procedures by central government ministries and the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial government necessary moving forward.

National Assembly member Seo Cheonho stated that he would share the issues discussed with Hadong County and review what steps may be needed during consultations with the National Assembly and central government ministries.

Hadong County Governor Kim Hyunsoo said, "We will submit proposals on regional issues to the government at the appropriate times and continue consultations with relevant organizations," adding, "For the reflection of government policies and the securing of necessary resources, we will also consult with the National Assembly and the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial government."

Hadong County plans to continue sharing the progress of each project with National Assembly member Seo Cheonho's office, the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial government, and relevant central government ministries, focusing discussions on the issues that need to be included in the 2027 national budget and reflected in national plans.

The 17 issues presented by Hadong County broadly cover the region's mid- to long-term tasks, from education and industry to transportation networks such as railroads and roads.

However, many of the projects, such as the establishment of the Changwon National University Hadong campus, the stop of KTX-Eum trains at Hadong Station, and the public development of Galsa Industrial Complex, are at the stage where reflection in government policy and national plans, consultations with relevant agencies, and securing of budgets are still required.

Therefore, moving forward, rather than the meeting itself, it will be crucial to specify the priorities of each issue and how much they can actually be reflected in policy and budget through consultation with the National Assembly, the government, and Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government.

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