Basic Income, New Medical School, AI Industry, and More
Key Issues in Jeonnam, Gwangju, and Jeonbuk Draw Attention
As the Democratic Party presidential primary heats up ahead of the Honam regional tour primaries, the leading candidate Lee Jae Myung will visit Jeonnam, Gwangju, and Jeonbuk in succession over two days starting April 24, announcing key pledges tailored to each region.
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential primary candidate, is delivering his policy speech at the "Joint Yeongnam Region Speech Meeting for the 21st Presidential Election Candidate Selection" held on the 20th at the Ulsan Exhibition Convention Center in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the Democratic Party and other sources on April 22, Lee is scheduled to visit the Offshore Wind Power Control Center on Amtaedo Island in Shinan, Jeonnam, on the morning of April 24 for an on-site meeting. Shinan is known for its "Sunlight and Wind Pension" program, which distributes profits from renewable energy facilities such as offshore wind and solar power to local residents. This has been cited as a model for Lee's basic income initiative. Taking this opportunity to visit Shinan, a region with limited medical access, Lee is also expected to state his position on the long-standing Jeonnam demand for a new national medical school.
That afternoon, Lee will visit the Jeonil Building in Gwangju, where he is expected to pledge to include the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble of the Constitution. In addition, regional pledges under consideration include the establishment of a national AI computing center with a budget of 10 trillion won, the creation of an AI Industry Promotion Agency, support for Gwangju-style AI semiconductors, and the development of a next-generation fabless shared utilization center.
On the following day, April 25, Lee will visit the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje, Jeonbuk, where he plans to present his vision for making the region a hub for advanced agricultural and bio-industries, as part of his strategy for Jeonbuk.
Candidates for the Democratic Party presidential primary are attending the "Chungcheong Region Joint Speech Meeting for the Selection of the 21st Presidential Election Candidates" held at Cheongju Gymnasium in Chungbuk on the afternoon of the 19th. From the left, Lee Jae Myung, Kim Kyung Soo, Kim Dong Yeon. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Dong Yeon has previously announced regional pledges such as enshrining the May 18 spirit in the Constitution, fostering the AI industry in Gwangju, establishing a new medical school in Jeonnam, and building an east-west cross-country railway in Jeonbuk. He is scheduled to visit the Honam region on April 24.
Kim Kyung Soo is also visiting Jeonbuk and Gwangju on this day, holding meetings with local party members and announcing his pledges.
Kang Gi Jung, the mayor of Gwangju, stated, "In an early presidential election phase, regional pledges are extremely important," adding, "Regardless of the party or candidate, we will continue to communicate local demands so that they are reflected in campaign pledges."
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