Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok Requests Hosting COP28 and Establishing Medical School

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] On the 27th, Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok held a meeting with Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Jo Jeong-sik, Woo Won-sik, Jeong Seong-ho, and Joo Cheol-hyun, who visited the provincial office, to discuss national balanced development and requested party-level interest and support for regional issues such as hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties.

On this day, Governor Kim explained and actively requested support for seven key issues: ▲hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) ▲establishment of a national medical school in Jeollanam-do ▲enactment of a special law for the establishment of an integrated authorization organization for offshore wind power ▲designation of a national advanced medical complex ▲construction of Heuksan Airport ▲creation of a space launch vehicle industry cluster ▲and the realization of disaster relief funds.

He also asked for national budget support and cooperation for ten major national projects to lay the foundation for regional growth: ▲fast-tracking the Gyeongjeon Line high-speed railway (Boseong~Suncheon) ▲early promotion of the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway ▲attracting a super-powerful laser research facility ▲construction of the 3-2 phase container pier at Gwangyang Port ▲creation of a specialized kimchi production complex ▲support for the Smart Farm Innovation Valley ▲installation of low-temperature storage facilities for kim frozen nets ▲establishment of a carbon capture utilization demonstration support center ▲expansion of the vaccine safety technology support center’s functions ▲and inclusion of southern region tourism development projects as national projects.

Governor Kim said, “Please empower the region for national balanced development,” and requested, “Before the COP26 conference in Glasgow, UK, in November, which will decide the host country for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, please prioritize confirming Jeonnam, Gyeongnam South Coast, and the Southern Central Region as hosting areas so that South Korea can be finally confirmed as the host country.”

He continued, “Please work hard to establish a national medical school in Jeonnam, the only province among all cities and provinces nationwide without a medical school.”

He also expressed gratitude for the support in declaring the areas severely damaged by the recent heavy rains as special disaster zones and for reflecting disaster support projects in the second supplementary government budget.

Governor Kim requested, “Considering that most of the flood damage was to crops and aquaculture that were carefully cultivated, please work politically to realize the disaster recovery support unit price.”

In response, the Democratic Party lawmakers said, “National balanced development is no longer something to be postponed but an urgent issue to be intensively promoted,” and added, “Since we have established a Balanced Development Promotion Headquarters within the party and have been promoting it, we will do our best to cooperate with the government to ensure that Jeonnam’s issues are promptly resolved.”