Governor Kim Youngrok Holds Budget Policy Council with Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Committee

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok attended the "Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party - Jeollanam-do Budget Policy Council" held on the morning of the 20th at Baekwon Hall of Kukmin Ilbo in Seoul, and took a commemorative photo with participants including Ju Cheolhyun, Chairman of the Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party, and National Assembly members Kim Woni, Kim Munsu, Moon Geumju, and Park Jiwon (in order of constituencies). Provided by Jeonnam Province

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On August 20, Jeollanam-do held a budget policy council in Seoul with local National Assembly members from the Democratic Party to discuss solutions to current issues and strategies for securing next year's national funding. Key topics included the establishment of a national medical school, the enactment of a special law for Jeonnam Energy Marine Specialized City, and an increase of more than 1 trillion won in SOC project funding.

Participants included Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, Ju Cheolhyun, Chairman of the Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party, and Assembly members Park Jiwon, Kim Woni, Jo Gyeweon, Moon Geumju, and Kim Munsu.

At the meeting, Governor Kim emphasized, "The establishment of a medical school in regions without one has been confirmed as a national agenda," and stressed the necessity of establishing a national medical school with the goal of opening for the 2027 academic year.

In addition, as the energy transition centered on renewable energy has been adopted as a national agenda, he requested special attention to the enactment of the RE100 Industrial Complex Special Act and the Jeonnam Energy Marine Specialized City Special Act, so that Jeonnam, with its comparative advantage in offshore wind and solar industries, can lead the creation of RE100 industrial complexes and become a pioneer region for basic energy income.

Other legislative proposals included: the enactment of the Special Act on the Development of the Southern Coastal Area and the establishment of a comprehensive development agency; the revision of the law to foster and support the seaweed industry; and the enactment of a special law on agrivoltaics. He sought cooperation on these matters.

For 2026, a total of 56 projects were proposed for national funding. By sector, for SOC projects, the province requested an increase of more than 1 trillion won in project funding to ensure completion within the planned period, including the full remaining 131.5 billion won for the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway (total project cost: 3.0274 trillion won) for early opening in 2026, 15 billion won for the second phase of the Gwangju-Wando Expressway (total project cost: 1.5965 trillion won), and 5 billion won for the four-lane expansion of National Road No. 15 between Goheung and Bongrae (total project cost: 514.2 billion won).

In the area of local issues, proposals included 800 million won for a resource circulation pilot project (total project cost: 12.5 billion won), 15 billion won for an industrial crisis response project (total project cost: 41.6 billion won), and 1 billion won for the establishment of a K-Disney talent development hub (total project cost: 33 billion won).

For advanced industries, the main proposals were 3 billion won for high-power semiconductor demonstration infrastructure (total project cost: 30 billion won), 2 billion won for a private space launch vehicle engine test facility (total project cost: 48.5 billion won), 9 billion won for an offshore wind component testing center (total project cost: 40 billion won), and 3 billion won for a future vehicle electromagnetic compatibility testing and evaluation system (total project cost: 20 billion won), focusing on building infrastructure for future strategic industries.

In the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sector, the proposals included 500 million won for the AI Advanced Livestock Convergence Valley (total project cost: 67.54 billion won), 1 billion won for the National Seaweed Industry Promotion Institute, selection of the AI Agricultural Industry Complex (total project cost: 57.14 billion won) as a preliminary feasibility study project, and 350 million won for smart farms for young foresters (total project cost: 10.5 billion won), all aimed at agricultural and fisheries innovation.

Ju Cheolhyun, Chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party, responded, "We will do our best to reflect local issues in national plans and secure national funding," and added, "We will improve the quality of life for residents through legislative activities such as enacting and revising laws."

Jeollanam-do plans to continue persuading financial authorities until the government budget proposal is finalized at the end of this month, and will make every effort to secure national funding by working closely with party leadership, the chairman of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, and local National Assembly members during the National Assembly's review process.

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