1. Four Major Projects Receive 198 Billion Won Increase in Second Supplementary Budget
2. Active Communication with Central Government and Lawmakers
3. "Will Secure Additional Project Funding Next Year as a 'Regional Worker'"
Junho Jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
Junho Jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Buk-gu Gap in Gwangju, announced on July 7 that a total of 470.4 billion won had been secured for the development of Gwangju and Buk-gu in the second supplementary budget for 2025, which passed the National Assembly on July 4. The amount increased in this supplementary budget compared to this year’s main budget is 198 billion won.
The budget for the Honam Expressway expansion project (Donggwangju to Gwangsan IC) was increased by 18.33 billion won. In the original government proposal for the supplementary budget, the entire 36.66 billion won allocated in this year’s main budget was cut, but during the review process, half of the budget was restored and increased.
Jung worked closely with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Expressway Corporation, local lawmakers from Gwangju, the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, and the Democratic Party Policy Committee to secure the budget increase for the Honam Expressway expansion. To achieve the budget increase, he persuaded various stakeholders, ranging from ministers and vice ministers to section chiefs and working-level staff at public corporations, and succeeded in increasing the budget by half.
Jung explained, "The expansion of the Honam Expressway is a long-standing wish of the citizens of Gwangju and Buk-gu, but this year’s entire budget was at risk of being cut. I worked on the ground, communicating with central government agencies and fellow lawmakers, to secure an increase in the budget."
He added, "It is regrettable that only half of the budget was restored. I will work even harder to secure additional national funding in next year’s budget and become a 'regional worker who gets things done without fail.'"
The project budget for the timely opening of Gwangju Metro Line 2 was also increased. The construction budget for Gwangju Metro Line 2 was increased by 71.46 billion won, bringing the total budget for this year to 211.31 billion won. With the additional funds, it is expected that the timely opening of Line 2 and improvements in construction progress will be facilitated.
Additional funds were also secured for the construction of the Honam High-Speed Rail between Gwangju and Mokpo. An additional 100 billion won was allocated, bringing the total to 238.645 billion won. The budget for establishing an integrated railway wireless network for Gwangju Metro Line 1 was also increased by 1.1 billion won, resulting in a total of 2.2 billion won secured.
Of the 99.4 billion won in supplementary budget increases for the Gwangju region announced by Gwangju City on July 6, approximately 91% is for projects under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. As a member of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Jung worked hard to increase and secure the budget.
Jung stated, "The expansion of the Honam Expressway, the construction of Gwangju Metro Line 2, and the extension of the Honam High-Speed Rail are long-standing wishes for the Honam region, including Gwangju and Buk-gu. Given that most major projects fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, I will work even harder next year to secure additional funding to improve transportation convenience, revitalize the local economy, and create jobs."
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