Provincial Assembly Member Kang Munseong Questions Need for Dedicated Department Amid Yeosu Industrial Complex Crisis in Jeonnam Economy
Level 4 Still Heads TF, Spokesperson Upgraded to Level 3...Contrasting Intent Focused on Promotion
The proposed organizational restructuring plan of Jeonnam Province has been criticized for focusing on upgrading the spokesperson office to a Grade 3 position rather than responding to the regional economic crisis.
Kang Moon-seong, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Yeosu 3), stated during a 5-minute free speech at the 3rd plenary session of the 386th regular meeting of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly on the 5th, “The Yeosu National Industrial Complex is a core industrial complex in Jeonnam with an annual employment of about 25,000 people and an annual production performance reaching up to 100 trillion won (2022).” He added, “To overcome the structural crisis faced by the Yeosu petrochemical industry complex, which has played a pivotal role in Jeonnam’s economy, and to transform it into a new growth opportunity, I strongly urge the establishment of a dedicated department within Jeonnam Province.”
Assemblyman Kang said, “Due to aggressive competition from China and the Middle East, large companies within the Yeosu Industrial Complex recorded losses exceeding 400 billion won in the third quarter of this year. Many companies, including Lotte Chemical Yeosu Plant 2, are preparing to shut down factories and withdraw from businesses.” He emphasized, “The crisis in the Yeosu Industrial Complex is not due to an economic downturn but a structural crisis caused by changes in the global competitive environment.”
He continued, “The recently discussed Jeonnam Province organizational restructuring plan upgrades the spokesperson position responsible for public relations from Grade 4 to Grade 3 and expands it into a system with one bureau and two divisions. However, the crisis response task force for the Yeosu petrochemical complex, which is genuinely needed, is planned to be established only as a temporary organization at the Grade 4 division chief level.” He criticized, “I cannot help but lament Jeonnam Province’s recognition of reality, which neglects the regional economic crisis.”
Furthermore, he pointed out, “Except for Gyeonggi Province, which has a population of 13.68 million, no other provincial-level local governments operate their spokesperson offices at the Grade 3 level.” He questioned, “I want to ask whether the Jeonnam Province organizational restructuring plan, which neglects urgent and important economic issues, truly meets the expectations of the residents.”
He concluded, “Jobs are created by companies, and the region thrives only when companies survive. Considering the young people leaving Jeonnam due to lack of jobs, Jeonnam Province must take the current crisis more seriously and with greater responsibility.” He demanded the establishment of a dedicated department to respond to the petrochemical industry crisis.
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