Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu Proposes 345 Billion Won Increase in National Budget Support for Next Year

People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee and Budget Policy Council

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, explaining the current issues of projects within Gyeongnam in 2023 and requesting an increase in national funding support.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, met with the People Power Party’s Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly members to secure national funding for next year.

On the 27th, Governor Park shared provincial administration issues with the assembly members and requested cooperation to secure national funding for 2023 at the People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly-Gyeongsangnam-do Budget Policy Council held at the Glad Yeouido Hotel in Seoul.

The council was attended by Governor Park, heads of provincial offices and bureaus, Jeong Jeomsik, Chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee, and 11 assembly members from the Gyeongnam region.

Governor Park emphasized, “Since the new government’s inauguration, there is hope for regional key industries such as nuclear power and shipbuilding,” adding, “With K-defense performing well and growing interest in the aerospace industry, Gyeongnam is a core hub for defense encompassing land, sea, and air.”

He continued, “We are working hard to ensure these achievements spread throughout local companies,” and stated, “Special support from assembly members is necessary so that next year’s national budget can be reflected during the National Assembly’s review stage to boost Gyeongnam’s key industries and revitalize industry and economy.”

At the closed-door meeting, Governor Park explained the necessity of ▲prompt establishment of the Sacheon Excellent Aviation Office and creation of an administrative complex town ▲early commencement of Jinhae New Port construction and expansion of the port hinterland complex designation ▲establishment of the tentative Defense Parts Research Institute in Gyeongnam ▲construction of access transportation networks to Gadeokdo New Airport and development of a logistics hub hinterland city.

He also mentioned ▲lifting of development restriction zones ▲government regulation improvements for the creation of the South Coast tourism complex ▲introduction of a new high-speed train on the Gyeongjeon Line to Suseo ▲upgrading major provincial roads to national highway status, requesting interest and support for these eight major pending projects.

Additionally, he proposed 12 other pending projects including ▲government-led toll reduction feasibility study for Machang Bridge and Geoga Expressway ▲Seomjin Railway Bridge regeneration project ▲special support project for smooth transition of industrial crisis response special zones ▲construction of the Gyeongnam Nuclear Industry Comprehensive Support Center ▲hosting of the Korea Drama Festival ▲establishment of the Changwon trunk rapid bus system ▲support project for necessary expenses of the nursery school Nuri curriculum ▲creation of the Baekdudaegan Healing Startup Road ▲AI-based autonomous manufacturing ecosystem creation project ▲green hydrogen production infrastructure construction ▲creation of the Gyeongnam Eastern Region Youth Startup Academy ▲feasibility study for improvement of Seomasan IC entrance and exit roads.

Gyeongnam Province announced that it secured 8.2782 trillion KRW in national funding in next year’s government budget proposal but aims to increase this by 345 billion KRW during the National Assembly’s review stage.

Accordingly, it additionally requested support and cooperation for 34 projects, including new and increased funding projects totaling 345 billion KRW for next year.

A provincial official said, “We are focusing administrative efforts on securing national funding for next year to promote regional economic recovery and invigorate local communities,” adding, “Through the budget situation room operating at the Seoul headquarters since the 24th, we will establish a close cooperative system with both ruling and opposition parties to ensure necessary budget increases during the National Assembly’s review stage of the government budget proposal.”