Gangwon Governor Woo Sangho Meets Park Honggeun and Lee Kwangjae, Seeks National Funding for Rail and Expressway Projects

Requested 1 billion won for the Pocheon-Cheorwon Expressway if it passes the preliminary feasibility study
Called for increasing the number of additional flagship national universities selected from two to three
Also requested a higher central government share of funding for the basic income program for rural and fishing communities

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Woo Sangho met successively on the 11th with Minister of Planning and Budget Park Honggeun and Lee Kwangjae, chair of the National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Committee, to request budget support for major pending projects, including expanding Gangwon’s rail network and the Pocheon-Cheorwon Expressway. He also called for expanding eligibility for support for flagship national universities and increasing the central government’s share of funding for the basic income program for rural and fishing communities.

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Woo Sangho (left) poses for a commemorative photo at the National Assembly on the 11th, holding a document outlining the province's requests for central government funding for 2027 with Planning and Budget Minister Park Honggeun. Photo provided by Gangwon Province.

Governor Woo asked Minister Park to include the 1 billion won needed for the Pocheon-Cheorwon Expressway in the National Assembly’s budget review process if the project passes its preliminary feasibility study. He also requested funding for artificial intelligence transformation (AX) projects, an integrated transportation system and a clean energy expressway. Minister Park said the relevant departments would review the materials submitted by Gangwon Province during the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee’s review.

Governor Woo also raised the issue of Kangwon National University, which was excluded from this year’s support program. He said that if only two more flagship national universities are selected next year, regional universities facing difficult financial conditions will have to compete with one another. He called for increasing the number of selected universities to three and providing 50 billion won to each. Minister Park replied that the province should also consult with the Ministry of Education.

At his meeting with Lee, rail funding and local governments’ share of the costs for the basic income program for rural and fishing communities were major topics. Governor Woo said that many tourists continue to use the railway even after train services on the Gangneung Line were increased, and that rail passengers spend a higher proportion of their expenditures locally than people traveling by car. He asked Lee to review rail-related funding.

Regarding the basic income program for rural and fishing communities, Governor Woo explained that the program currently costs 75 billion won a year and that expenses could exceed 100 billion won if it is expanded to cover more areas.

Governor Woo said that population growth and increased consumer spending had been seen in Jeongseon and Hwacheon. He asked the government to increase its share of the funding to ease the burden on local governments and allow more regions to participate. Lee said the funding ratio needed to be adjusted and that a decision should be made after reviewing the results of the pilot program.

Woo Sangho (left), governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, poses for a commemorative photo with Lee Kwangjae, chair of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, holding materials requesting national funding for Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province in 2027 at the National Assembly on the 11th. Provided by Gangwon Province.

The meeting also addressed the calculation of Inje County’s local preferential treatment index. Lee said that Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung had agreed to review the matter. Governor Woo said he would work to ensure that Inje County was not disadvantaged, even if a reassessment proved difficult.

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