Choo Kyung-ho: "Saemangeum Budget Cut Is Not Discrimination Against Jeonbuk"

"Most Projects Requested by Jeonbuk Reflected in Next Year's Budget" Explanation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho explained on the 1st that “most of the projects requested by the residents of Jeonbuk are reflected in next year’s budget” in response to the significant cuts in the budget for the Saemangeum-related social overhead capital (SOC) projects.

On the same day, during the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Committee, Choo responded to Lee Won-taek, a member of the Democratic Party representing Jeonbuk, who pointed out that "the sudden drastic cut in the Saemangeum SOC budget is incomprehensible."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Choo explained, “The government included the related budget with the intention of reviewing the adequacy of the infrastructure to enhance the economic effect of the Saemangeum SOC projects by the first half of next year and properly establishing the Saemangeum master plan by 2025.”

He continued, emphasizing, “Regarding Rep. Lee’s remark that the residents of Jeonbuk suspect 'neglect of Jeonbuk' due to the Saemangeum SOC cuts, most of the major projects requested by Jeonbuk are meaningfully reflected in next year’s budget, linking the Jeonbuk budget and the Saemangeum-related budget.”

He added, “There are ongoing discussions directly linking the entire Saemangeum and Jeonbuk budgets to regional issues, but I ask that you review the projects later and raise any concerns during the National Assembly’s deliberation stage.”