Gimhae City - Min Hong-cheol - Kim Jeong-ho Party-Government Meeting for Securing Next Year's National Budget and Local Issues

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jucheol In] On the 17th, Gimhae City in Gyeongnam Province and Democratic Party lawmakers Min Hong-cheol (Gimhae Gap) and Kim Jeong-ho (Gimhae Eul) held a party-government council meeting at the small conference room of Gimhae City Hall to secure next year's national budget and promote local issues.

Mayor Heo Seong-gon and senior officials requested cooperation to increase the city’s major national projects, which were not reflected in the 2022 government budget proposal, during the National Assembly’s review process.

Among the city’s major projects requiring budget increases during the National Assembly’s review of next year’s government budget proposal are the purchase of private land in the Hwapocheon Wetland Protection Area (11.5 billion KRW), modernization of Gimhae City resource circulation facilities (11 billion KRW), introduction of electric trains between Bujeon and Masan (19.8 billion KRW), construction of National Road No. 60 from Hallim to Saengnim (33.7 billion KRW), and establishment of the National Yongjibong Natural Recreation Forest (10 billion KRW), totaling 14 projects worth 106.7 billion KRW.

To proactively respond to the accelerated decentralization in the post-COVID-19 era, explanations were also given regarding projects such as the establishment of the Southeast Special Local Government Joint Office, the creation of the Gimhae Employment and Labor Office, the establishment of the Korea Industrial Human Resources Corporation Gyeongnam Eastern Branch (Gimhae Branch), the balanced allocation of public institutions in the western region of Gyeongnam Province, and the hosting of the 2024 Gaya History World Expo.

Mayor Heo Seong-gon said, “Gimhae City has the second largest number of manufacturing companies nationwide, but over 76% are small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. When disasters like COVID-19 occur, the economic downturn is more severe compared to other local governments. Strategic national budget acquisition in line with the government’s new industry investment policy in the post-COVID-19 era is essential to innovate the fragile industrial structure, and the interest and support of the lawmakers are absolutely necessary.”

Lawmakers Min Hong-cheol and Kim Jeong-ho responded, “If the party and government respond as one to the projects proposed by Gimhae City, we believe it will bring great hope to citizens and be a shortcut to overcoming COVID-19. We will continue to strengthen the cooperation system with Gimhae City.”