Request for Cooperation Discussed at Meeting with National Assembly Member Kwon Hyangyeop
Gwangyang City, Jeonnam (Mayor Jung Inhwa) announced that on the 19th, it visited the National Assembly and held a meeting with National Assembly member Kwon Hyangyeop to request government support in response to the crisis in the steel and secondary battery industries.
The visit was attended by Lee Hwayeop, Director of the Future Industry Bureau, Jeong Haejong, Head of the Investment and Economy Division, and related officials. They requested cooperation at the National Assembly level for the designation of Gwangyang as a Special Industrial Crisis Response Zone and for strengthening support for the steel and secondary battery industries.
On the 19th, Gwangyang City visited the National Assembly and held a meeting with Congressman Kwon Hyangyeop to request government support for crisis response in the steel and secondary battery industries. Photo by Gwangyang City
The main requests included: ▲Designation as a Special Industrial Crisis Response Zone ▲Proposal for a National Assembly forum involving the mayors of three cities (Pohang, Gwangyang, Dangjin) and local National Assembly members ▲Additional designation of specialized complexes for advanced strategic industries in secondary batteries ▲Support for the Gwangyang Smart Green Industrial Complex energy self-sufficiency infrastructure project ▲Measures to ease the tariff burden on exports to the United States ▲Measures to prevent the influx of low-priced Chinese steel products and protect the market ▲Discounts on industrial electricity rates and the establishment of a separate rate system ▲Expansion of support for overseas mineral development and policy backing.
In response, National Assembly member Kwon Hyangyeop emphasized, "The crisis in the steel industry is deepening, and it should be approached as a structural issue rather than a simple trade issue."
He further expressed concern, saying, "It is unrealistic to be optimistic that Korea's premium steel will remain competitive even if tariffs are imposed. If our response is insufficient, not only could steel companies relocate overseas, but it could also lead to the decline of entire cities."
He also added, "We will discuss the designation of a Special Industrial Crisis Response Zone in the Industry, Trade, Resources, SMEs, and Startups Committee. Continuous support is needed until the value chain of the secondary battery industry is stably established and circulates smoothly. The National Assembly will work with the government to develop practical support measures and actively respond to strengthen the competitiveness of the steel and secondary battery industries."
Meanwhile, on March 27, Gwangyang City, together with Jeonnam Province and Suncheon City, jointly launched the 'Jeonnam Steel Industry Crisis Response Council.' In cooperation with the Jeonnam Provincial Council, Gwangyang City Council, Suncheon City Council, relevant organizations, and companies, they plan to provide policy advice for overcoming the steel industry crisis, propose government policy adoption, resolve corporate difficulties, and discuss regulatory improvement measures.
Lee Hwayeop, Director of the Future Industry Bureau, stated, "As the strengthening of global protectionism raises concerns about significant impacts on the steel and secondary battery industries, active government support is necessary. We will continue to monitor government policies and work with local companies to strengthen industrial competitiveness."
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