New Expressway to Be Built Between Yeosu and Suncheon
Distance Between Honam and Yeongnam Regions to Be Reduced
Kim Dongyeon, the governor of Gyeonggi Province and a preliminary presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, announced on April 22 that he would promote the establishment of a West Coast renewable energy belt to connect the industrial sectors of the Seoul metropolitan area and the Honam region.
On this morning, regarding his pledges for the Honam region, Governor Kim stated, "I will create a 'RE (Renewable Energy) 100' line along the West Coast," and added, "By establishing a West Coast renewable energy belt, I plan to link advanced industries such as AI and semiconductors in the Honam region and the Seoul metropolitan area, and to transition key industries such as steel, semiconductors, and automobiles to low-carbon models." To achieve this, he outlined a plan to create a 400 trillion won climate industry fund.
He also pledged to include the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution and to establish the historical name of the 5·18 movement. Governor Kim said, "The government in 1997 designated May 18 every year as the commemoration day for the '5·18 Democratization Movement,' but I will highlight the characteristics of 'Gwangju' and 'uprising' by changing the name to '5.18 Gwangju People's Uprising.'" In addition, he expressed his commitment to fully restore the original form of the Jeonnam Provincial Government building after sufficient discussions with civil society groups, including May organizations.
He also plans to strengthen the transportation network in the Honam region. Governor Kim proposed the construction of a West Coast metropolitan railway connecting Gunsan and Mokpo, the establishment of a new expressway between Yeosu and Suncheon, and the acceleration of the Jeolla Line railway to facilitate movement within the Honam region. The plan also includes new east-west transportation links to reduce the distance between the Honam and Yeongnam regions. He suggested the construction of a new Jeonju-Kimcheon east-west railway, the completion of the unconnected section of the Saemangeum-Pohang east-west expressway, and the expedited promotion of the Dalbit Inland Railway.
On the 18th, candidate Kim Dongyeon is preparing for the first TV debate among the Democratic Party presidential candidates for the 21st presidential election, held at the Sangam MBC studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul. 2025.4.18 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Governor Kim also intends to expand the insufficient public healthcare infrastructure in the Honam region by establishing a national medical school in Jeollanam-do. For the Jeonbuk region, he promised to support the bid for the 2036 Jeonju Summer Olympics and to ensure the smooth progress of major industries in Saemangeum.
Governor Kim emphasized, "Honam is a region that has led Korean democracy and promoted the value of human rights," but also stated, "While our politics has ignored the voices of Honam residents, the future of Honam has been left behind. Now that a president who instigated a rebellion has been removed from office, I will turn the vision for Honam's future into reality."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
