"We will reflect on the political turmoil of the past, pursue renewal, dedicate ourselves to the residents, and take the lead in advancing Gyeongnam."
On July 8, members of the People Power Party in the Gyeongnam Provincial Council held a press conference in the council's briefing room to announce the launch of the 4th term floor leadership, making this statement.
The floor leadership of the People Power Party in the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly is holding a press conference for the launch of the 4th term. Photo by Lee Seryung
The leadership stated, "In the recent presidential election, our residents showed strong support for the People Power Party, with a high vote share of 51.99%. We will not become complacent with this result but will use it as a driving force for the development of conservative politics in Gyeongnam and do our utmost to regain the trust of the residents."
They went on to say, "In the supplementary budget under the Lee Jaemyung administration, the budget for the Southern Inland Railway project was cut by 50 billion KRW, making it virtually impossible to meet the 2030 opening target. In the special account for transportation facilities, the Yeongnam region saw a reduction of 754.5 billion KRW, while the Honam region's budget was cut by only 36.7 billion KRW, resulting in a significant gap in social overhead capital (SOC) spending. Furthermore, not even a single major regional pledge for Gyeongnam was made during the last presidential election," they pointed out.
They added, "We will ensure that Gyeongnam is not excluded from national agendas and will properly deliver Gyeongnam's voice to the government so that key issues and future growth industries are implemented in a timely manner. Above all, we will make the recovery of livelihoods our top priority and work to resolve the pressing issues that affect the daily lives of our residents."
They also stated, "We will take the lead in improving systems that enhance quality of life, such as job creation, stabilizing daily life, revitalizing the local economy, improving the educational environment, and advancing welfare for the elderly. We will serve as vigilant guardians of the 8th popularly elected provincial administration to ensure that the residents can truly feel the impact of Gyeongnam's policies."
Regarding the recent appointment of Kim Kyungsoo as the new chairman of the Local Era Committee, they said, "Since the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, Gyeongnam has been severely neglected. Although Chairman Kim is from a different party, we trust and believe that, as a former governor of Gyeongnam, he is well aware of the region's issues. We hope that, together with President Lee, he will pay close attention to the matters concerning Gyeongnam."
Jung Sanghak, the floor leader of the People Power Party in the 4th Gyeongnam Provincial Council, is answering reporters' questions. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Jung Sanghak, the floor leader, said, "Since being elected in 2022, People Power Party provincial councilors have been working tirelessly in the field, approaching their legislative duties with the same passion as if they were in the middle of an election. Although we have become the opposition and faced numerous challenges, we will continue to move forward, focusing solely on the residents and approaching them with sincerity, step by step."
"In July, with one year left in our term, the first provisional session will be held, marking the first step. We will listen closely to the voices of the residents and work with the same determination we had when we first ran for office and were elected," he added.
The 4th term People Power Party floor leadership of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council is bowing in a press conference, expressing their future commitments. Photo by Lee Seryoung
The leadership declared, "With a mindset of daily renewal, we will continue to reform ourselves, constantly striving to become better. We will contemplate Gyeongnam's present and prepare intensely for its future to revitalize the province."
The 4th term People Power Party floor leadership in the Gyeongnam Provincial Council is composed of: Floor Leader Jung Sanghak (Changwon 10), Chief Deputy Floor Leader Choi Dongwon (Gimhae 3), Deputy Floor Leaders Cho Injong (Miryang 2), Cho Youngmyung (Changwon 13), and Park Dongcheol (Changwon 14), Floor Secretary Jeon Gipung (Geoje 2), Policy Committee Chair Cho Hyunshin (Jinju 3), Policy Committee Vice Chair Lee Kyungjae (Changnyeong 1), Floor Spokesperson Kim Suntaek (Changwon 15), and Deputy Floor Spokesperson Jung Heeseong (Changwon 12).
The leadership will serve from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
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