Assemblyman Son Geum-ju Announces Support Pledge for Hwasun Abandoned Mine Area

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Son Geum-ju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Naju·Hwasun, Jeonnam, member of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee and the Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee), toured various parts of Hwasun on the 20th to greet residents and announced a pledge to support the Hwasun mining area, focusing on establishing a support committee involving the central government and local governments to aid the mining area.

Member Son promised tailored policies to support the Hwasun mining area, including the establishment of a mining area support committee jointly participated by the central government and local governments, extension of the special law for mining area support, securing budgets for basic infrastructure improvement, creation of a safety experience theme park, and maintenance of city roads.

Son stated, “The reason mining area policies have been stagnant is the absence of a master plan for mining area revitalization and a control tower to oversee it,” adding, “By establishing the mining area support committee, we will eliminate uncertainties about the future and enable residents to focus on their livelihoods with peace of mind.” She expressed her determination by saying, “Through the creation of a safety experience theme park and infrastructure improvements, we will proceed with development that revitalizes both the mining area and the local economy in line with the times.”

Meanwhile, through the 20th National Assembly, Member Son successfully withdrew the 2017 plan to close the Hwasun mine, continuously striving for the development of the Hwasun mining area by hosting forums on economic revitalization and urban regeneration of mining areas, and co-proposing the “Special Act on Support for Mining Area Development” for national compensation and support for local mining and coal mine workers.