Gwangju City Holds Party-Government Council Meeting with Local National Assembly Members at the National Assembly

Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "Special Attention and Support Needed for Resolving Current Issues and Securing Government Budget..."

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Democratic Party of Korea's Gwangju-area lawmakers have agreed to actively cooperate in resolving major local issues and securing next year's national budget.

On the morning of the 14th, Gwangju City announced that it held a party-government council meeting with the Democratic Party of Korea's Gwangju City Party at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

At the party-government council meeting, Gwangju City was represented by Mayor Lee Yong-seop and key department heads, while the Democratic Party of Korea attendees included Song Gap-seok, Chairman of the Gwangju City Party, and lawmakers Yoon Young-duk, Lee Byung-hoon, Yang Hyang-ja, Cho Oh-seop, Lee Hyung-seok, Lee Yong-bin, and Min Hyung-bae.

During the meeting, the city detailed 16 major local issues including ▲revision of the special law on military airport relocation ▲establishment of a national geomagnetic research institute ▲preparation of a special law (draft) to strengthen competitiveness in the artificial intelligence ecosystem ▲follow-up projects for GGM ▲creation of the Honam super-regional energy economy community (Honam RE300) ▲conversion of the urban convergence special zone project into a national project ▲attracting a new women's professional volleyball team based in Gwangju ▲promotion of eco-friendly air industry ▲construction of the Gwangju-Daegu Dalbit inland railway ▲construction of metropolitan railways (Gwangju-Naju, Gwangju-Hwasun) ▲establishment of the National Trauma Healing Center for Violence ▲establishment of Gwangju Medical Center ▲establishment of the Korea Culture Technology (CT) Research Institute in Gwangju ▲creation of the Gwangju Green Startup Town (GST) ▲creation of the Social Economy Innovation Town ▲establishment of the National Honam Youth Didim Center in Gwangju, and requested active cooperation from local lawmakers.

Additionally, for next year's national budget projects, the city proposed 21 projects totaling 453.8 billion won, including ▲creation of an AI-centered industrial convergence complex ▲establishment of an innovation base for hospital-centered cell therapy industry ▲construction of an integrated carbon-neutral energy management platform for public institutions ▲establishment of the UNESCO Global Geopark East Asia platform ▲expansion of the Gwangju Songjeong Station complex transfer center with an elevated station building ▲construction of the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall ▲expansion of the 5.18 World Documentary Heritage preservation facilities ▲installation of a convergence support center for people with developmental disabilities.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop stated, “The GGM automobile plant, the nation's first win-win regional job model, has entered trial production, the national AI data center has commenced, MOUs have been signed with 86 AI companies, and the Free Economic Zone Authority has opened, marking a new leap forward for Gwangju.” He added, “These achievements are thanks to the active support of Gwangju citizens and local lawmakers, and I hope you will continue to show strong interest and support in resolving local issues and securing national budget projects.”

He especially requested continuous interest and support for the operation of the pan-government consultative body related to military airport relocation.

At the meeting, it was also decided to form a working-level consultative team between Gwangju City and lawmakers to develop presidential election pledges for next year’s election, and to proceed with a project to establish the Gwangju-Jeonnam Grand Vision.

Song Gap-seok, Chairman of the Gwangju City Party, emphasized, “Considering that this is the last budget of the Moon Jae-in administration, it is important to carefully manage local issues while also preparing for the upcoming presidential election pledges.”

Other lawmakers also pledged, “A future vision for the coexistence of Gwangju and Jeonnam is necessary for the region’s future food sources and the hopes of young people,” and promised to play an active role in cooperation with Gwangju City, including the promotion of the project.