Incheon City-Democratic Party Incheon City Party Council Meeting... Discussion on Current Projects and National Budget Increase

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok Requests Cooperation on Jemulpo Renaissance and Administrative System Reorganization
Lee Jae-myung, Party Leader, "No Ruling or Opposition Party in Incheon Development"

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, along with other attendees, are taking a commemorative photo at the Incheon City-Democratic Party Incheon City Party Policy Council held on the 29th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
[Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] On the morning of the 29th, Incheon City held a party-government council meeting at the National Assembly with the Democratic Party of Korea’s Incheon City Party members to discuss the promotion of major pending projects and measures to secure national funding.

Incheon City was represented by Mayor Yoo Jung-bok and senior city officials, while the Democratic Party was represented by party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose constituency is Gyeongyang-eui in Incheon, along with Democratic Party members and regional committee heads from the Incheon area.

Mayor Yoo stated that during his recent tour of four European countries, he confirmed that Incheon is fully qualified as a world-class international city. He expressed a strong will to elevate the Incheon Landing Operation Commemoration Ceremony to a national event, to host the 2025 APEC Summit, and to attract the Overseas Koreans Office to Incheon, requesting bipartisan cooperation.

He also shared the necessity of successfully promoting the Jemulpo Renaissance Project, future-oriented administrative system reform through the establishment of (tentative names) Jemulpo-gu, Yeongjong-gu, and Geomdan-gu, the undergrounding of the Gyeongin Line, the termination of the metropolitan area landfill through securing alternative landfill sites, relocation of military units within Incheon’s urban area, and the creation of the Incheon Offshore Wind Power Complex, all of which are major pending projects.

In particular, Mayor Yoo asked the Democratic Party members to help secure additional national funding necessary for these local pending projects.

Previously, the city proposed to the National Assembly an increase in national funding totaling 155.2 billion KRW for 11 items, including: 4.8 billion KRW for residential living support funds for the West Sea 5 Islands; 2.8 billion KRW for the 9.15 Incheon Landing Operation Commemoration event support; 11.8 billion KRW for the purchase of Camp Market park and road sites; 10 billion KRW for the construction of the entrance road to the Songdo 9th District Aam Logistics Complex; 2.3 billion KRW for the establishment of an infectious disease specialized hospital; 72 billion KRW for support of local love gift certificates issuance; 7 billion KRW for promotion of the Smart Green Industrial Complex; 34 billion KRW for the metropolitan area express railroad GTX-B line; and 8.4 billion KRW for the construction of the Incheon-origin KTX, among others.

Mayor Yoo emphasized, "We must establish a bipartisan cooperative system for the development of Incheon. I hope that the ruling and opposition political circles and Incheon City unite their strength to become a 'one team,'" urging the Democratic Party for continuous interest and cooperation on local issues.

Party leader Lee said, "There can be no division between ruling and opposition for the development of Incheon. Although political groups are divided, the ultimate goal is the development of Incheon City and a better life for Incheon citizens," adding, "The Democratic Party will also do its best to secure the necessary budget for Incheon’s development."

Additionally, Lee added, "I believe you will do your best to ensure that a railway is constructed in Gyeongyang Techno Valley, the only 3rd phase new town without a railway plan."