Democratic Party Unveils 24 Trillion Won Honam Budget... "Largest Ever Secured"

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is speaking at the Honam Development Special Committee Performance Report Meeting held on the morning of the 10th at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

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The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea announced on December 10 in Gwangju that it had secured a budget of 24 trillion won for the Honam region for next year. This is the largest amount ever allocated. At the first on-site Supreme Council meeting held immediately after the budget bill passed the National Assembly, the party leadership repeatedly emphasized the themes of "a Honam where young people do not leave" and "securing future growth engines."

On this day, the Democratic Party held consecutive on-site Supreme Council meetings and a performance report meeting of the Honam Development Special Committee at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. The event was attended by leader Chung Cheong-rae, Supreme Council member Lee Eonju, Policy Committee Chair Han Jeongae, National Assembly members from the Honam region, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwanyoung, and Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, among other regional leaders.

Lee Jungae, Chair of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Honam Development Special Committee Performance Report held on the morning of the 10th at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

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Han Jeongae, Policy Committee Chair, who delivered the performance report, stated, "We have secured a record-high budget of 24 trillion won for the Honam region next year," and added, "We focused on securing sustainable engines for future growth." Major projects reflected in the budget include AI·AX (Artificial Intelligence Transformation), space future vehicles, social overhead capital (SOC), funding related to the May 18 Democratization Movement, and basic living and safety sectors. She explained, "Starting next year, 200 autonomous vehicles will actually operate on the roads in Gwangju, which has been designated as a pilot city for AI mobility."

Applause erupted in the venue with each report. Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong said, "It doesn't get any better than this." Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok evaluated, "This is the signal flare for the beginning of the Lee Jaemyung people's sovereignty government." Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwanyoung described it as "an unprecedented historical record."

On the morning of the 10th, participants including Representative Chung Cheong-rae are taking a commemorative photo before the performance report meeting of the Democratic Party of Korea's Honam Development Special Committee held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

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Leader Chung Cheong-rae revealed details of a dinner with the President held the previous day with Floor Leader Kim Byungki, emphasizing the cooperative stance between the party and the government. He said, "There may be various comments in the media, but in reality, the party and the government are one team, one voice." He added, "I spoke to the President about the Honam Development Special Committee, and thanks to his support, encouragement, and backing, we were able to secure such a large budget." He continued, "There is nothing I can do alone," and added, "If there are achievements in Honam's development, it is all thanks to the President."

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