Ando Geol Secures 303.6 Billion Won for Gwangju and Jeonnam in Second Supplementary Budget

Achieving Local Livelihood Recovery and Regional Priorities in the Budget Subcommittee
Restoring 18.3 Billion Won for Honam Expressway Expansion
"The Result of Close Cooperation with Local Governments and Others"

Ando Geol, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Ando Geol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Dongnam-eul, announced on July 6 that the budget for the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions was increased and reflected by a total of 303.6 billion won in the second supplementary budget for 2025, which passed the National Assembly on July 4.

In particular, the 303.6 billion won increase in this second supplementary budget consists of 281.3 billion won from the first stage government proposal, with an additional 22.3 billion won secured during the second stage parliamentary review. This significant result was achieved as Representative Ando directly participated in the review as a member of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.

In this second supplementary budget, 18.3 billion won for the expansion of the Honam Expressway between Donggwangju and Gwangsan IC, which had been entirely cut, was restored. This project had faced strong opposition from the local community after the government, at the supplementary budget drafting stage, completely cut this year’s budget due to disagreements over the funding ratio between the central and local governments.

For transportation infrastructure in Jeonnam, the final budget includes 100 billion won for the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway project (Gwangju to Mokpo) and 36 billion won for the construction and compensation costs of the national highway marine bridge and tunnel between Sinan Aphae and Haenam Hwawon.

Additionally, the supplementary budget secured 5.2 billion won to support overcoming the industrial crisis in the Yeosu industrial complex area, 200 million won for research on establishing a global cultural tourism town, 2 billion won for the establishment of the Mobility AX Demonstration Lab, and 10 billion won for the annual operating budget of KEPCO Energy University.

Representative Ando stated, "During this parliamentary review of the supplementary budget, I focused on revitalizing the local economies of Gwangju and Jeonnam and reducing the financial burden on local governments for supplementary budget projects." He added, "Securing this supplementary budget is the result of thoroughly identifying urgent projects vital for the economic revitalization of Gwangju and Jeonnam in advance, carefully developing acquisition strategies, and the close cooperation of local members of the National Assembly, local governments, and related agencies who worked together proactively."