Jeonnam Province and Democratic Party Join Hands to Resolve Local Issues and Secure National Funds

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province and the Democratic Party of Korea have joined hands to address regional issues and secure national funding.

On the 21st, the province held a budget policy consultation meeting with the new leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea to discuss the continuous preservation of local fiscal decentralization and special balanced budget, resolution of regional issues, and support for national budget allocation.

The meeting was attended by party leaders including Democratic Party Representative Song Young-gil, Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung, Policy Committee Chair Park Wan-joo, Party Secretary-General Kim Young-ho, Senior Deputy Secretary-General Seo Sam-seok, and Budget and Accounts Committee Whip Maeng Sung-kyu, along with Jeonnam Provincial Party Chairman Kim Seung-nam and local lawmakers Lee Gae-ho, Shin Jeong-hoon, Kim Won-i, Joo Cheol-hyun, So Byung-chul, and Seo Dong-yong. From Jeonnam Province, Governor Kim Young-rok, Political Deputy Governor Yoon Byung-tae, and department heads also participated.

During the consultation, the Democratic Party and the province examined key issues and discussed solutions regarding regional matters and securing next year’s national budget through legislative activities.

Governor Kim proposed ten major policy issues, including ▲improvement of local fiscal decentralization ▲establishment of Jeonnam National Medical University ▲policy decisions on the UN Climate Change Conference in the southern coastal region of Jeonnam and Gyeongnam ▲support for the commencement of construction of Heuksan Airport within the year ▲construction of an ultra-high-power laser center ▲creation of a Jeonnam space launch vehicle industry cluster ▲enactment of the ‘Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident Special Act,’ among others.

Regarding the national budget, 20 key projects for Jeonnam were proposed. These included ▲construction of the Jeolla Line high-speed railway ▲reflection of the 5th national and local road construction plan including Yeosu-Namhae ▲construction of the second phase of expressways from Gwangju to Goheung and Gwangju to Wando ▲early completion of the second phase of Honam High-Speed Railway ▲early commencement of the Gwangju-Suncheon Gyeongjeon Line high-speed railway, which are national balanced development SOC projects, and ▲development of a support wharf hinterland complex for offshore wind power.

Additionally, requests were made for support in ▲construction of the 3-2 phase automated container terminal at Gwangyang Port ▲establishment of an energy new material industrialization platform ▲southern region wide-area tourism development project ▲establishment of a K-Bio lab hub ▲construction of Jeonnam Digital Animation Center ▲fishing village and harbor regeneration projects ▲support for sea transport costs of agricultural products in island areas ▲creation of a specialized kimchi production complex ▲establishment of a climate change response center in the agricultural sector.

Governor Kim said, “I am grateful to Democratic Party Representative Song Young-gil and the leadership for always resolving regional issues whenever they arise,” and added, “The national budget is essential for Jeonnam, and I ask the Democratic Party to take the lead in supporting us.”

He emphasized, “From 2023, when the temporary preservation of the special balanced fund, a problem of the first phase of fiscal decentralization, ends, Jeonnam will lose 400 billion won annually,” and stressed the need to improve local fiscal decentralization, including permanent preservation of the special balanced fund.

Jeonnam Provincial Party Chairman Kim Seung-nam said, “The second phase of fiscal decentralization is under discussion, and if the preservation of the special balanced fund ends, Jeonnam’s finances will decrease, putting it at risk of local extinction,” adding, “To overcome this crisis, permanent preservation of the special balanced fund, improvement of living conditions, and job creation are very important.”

He continued, “Going forward, centered on the Jeonnam Provincial Party, we will make every effort with local lawmakers to secure budgets for pending projects.”

Representative Song Young-gil also expressed deep sympathy for Jeonnam’s regional issues.

Representative Song said, “To successfully realize RE300, which will lead the Green New Deal, we will carefully manage regional projects such as the enactment of a special law for offshore wind power permits,” and added, “We will promptly resolve inter-ministerial disagreements regarding the recognition of alternative sites for the Heuksan Airport mudflat, support the establishment of the national medical university, assist in building ultra-high-power laser research facilities, improve issues related to the three-year temporary preservation of fiscal decentralization, and actively cooperate with the government to pass the Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident Special Act within the June session.”

He also stated, “We will strive to ensure that the proposed projects are reflected as much as possible in next year’s national budget.”

The Democratic Party and Jeonnam Province plan to hold three to four more budget policy consultation meetings with local lawmakers and working-level aides to share regional issues and make every effort to secure the necessary budget for the region.