Willingness to Communicate with the New Administration
Including a One-on-One Meeting with President Lee Jaemyung
"As the governor responsible for the lives of 3.3 million residents, if it is for the development of Gyeongnam or for the benefit of the residents, I will visit anyone, regardless of party affiliation, to make proposals and resolve pending issues."
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who has now entered his fourth year in office, expressed his willingness for active communication with the new administration during the 3rd anniversary press conference of the 8th local government held on June 30.
Governor Park stated that he would explain the status and significance of Gyeongnam to the Lee Jaemyung administration, which was inaugurated this month.
He said, "There are many things I would like to propose when I meet President Lee. Before that, I want to discuss the environment Gyeongnam faces and the issues that must be resolved for future development. Recently, the Governor of Jeonnam and the Mayor of Gwangju had a heated discussion, and I also want to have such an open debate for the development of Gyeongnam."
The main proposals he mentioned included: ▲Development of the southern coastal area ▲Establishment of a space and aviation cluster ▲Expansion of the economic free zone ▲Construction of the southern inland railway ▲A Gyeongnam development strategy centered on the new port and Gadeok New Airport ▲Plans for the advancement of Gyeongnam's key industries, including nuclear power.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a greeting at the 3rd anniversary press conference of the 8th local government. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Among these, he said his top priority would be to propose the enactment of the Special Act on the Gyeongnam Economic Free Zone, which would expand the entire province into an economic free zone, creating the "Gyeongnam Special Self-Governing Economic Free Province."
Governor Park emphasized, "Many of the foundational industries of Korea are concentrated in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bulgyeong) region, and without their development, it will be difficult for industries such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors to grow robustly. To foster these industries in the long term, it is necessary to secure industrial sites and for local governments to directly possess various authorities and regulatory powers to provide close support on the ground."
"In the long run, Bulgyeong should work together to become the economic and industrial capital of Korea," he said. "At the appropriate time, I will explain these matters directly to President Lee, even if it means meeting him one-on-one, and request the central government's participation and support."
As the head of Gyeongnam, home to the largest concentration of nuclear power companies in the country, Governor Park also shared his plans to make policy proposals regarding the nuclear power industry to the new administration.
He said, "I closely observed President Lee's energy policy during his candidacy, and while he does not appear to oppose or regulate nuclear power, he seems to have a strong interest in new and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen."
"However, energy supply cannot be sustained solely by eco-friendly or fossil fuels," he added. "International organizations have classified nuclear power as eco-friendly energy, and the demand for nuclear power plant construction is rapidly increasing in Europe and other countries. Given this global trend, I do not believe the new administration will oppose nuclear power."
"While current nuclear power is important, it is also essential to develop technology and make government efforts to move toward next-generation nuclear power, such as small modular reactors," he said. "I will also make proposals to the President on this matter."
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is answering questions at the 3rd anniversary press briefing of the 8th local government. Photo by Lee Seryoung
On this day, Governor Park also mentioned the need to establish branch offices of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, so that a strategic cluster city could be created around the Aerospace Administration, integrating industry, research, education, and residential environments.
He also argued that the functions and R&D capabilities of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of National Defense should be expanded, and that the Aerospace Administration should be elevated from under the Ministry of Science and ICT to under the Prime Minister's Office or the Presidential Office.
Regarding the new administration's plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan within the year and other government ministry relocations, he expressed his support.
He said, "Rather than being concentrated in the North Port, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries should move to Jinhae New Port in Busan. If the ministry, which is responsible not only for fisheries but also for port and maritime development, relocates to the new port, it will allow other national agencies to gather there, increase administrative efficiency through close collaboration, and provide significant support for the development of the new port and its hinterland."
He also said, "It would be best if the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups were relocated to Gyeongnam, which is leading Korea's industries in the long term."
A press briefing commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the 8th term of the elected government is being held in the main conference room of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office
Governor Park reiterated, "Once the new administration's appointments are finalized and settled, I will actively meet with everyone, including the Presidential Office, the National Assembly, the ruling and opposition parties, mobilizing all my networks to resolve Gyeongnam's pending issues."
He continued, "I have suggested that the heads of local governments and National Assembly members from Bulgyeong gather once to propose and cooperate on pending issues for the region's development to the new administration. I also plan to meet with the chairpersons of each standing committee of the National Assembly as soon as possible regarding Gyeongnam's pending issues."
Regarding whether he will run for a second term in the nationwide local elections to be held in June 2026, he said, "There is still time left, so I have not given it deep thought. I will follow the will of the residents and proceed according to due process. Once I have made up my mind, I will inform the residents."
Governor Park stated, "Throughout my life as a public servant, I have never neglected my duties. For the remaining year, I will continue to work passionately for the development of Gyeongnam and the happiness of its residents without change."
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