Request for 25 Billion Won in Special Grant Aid
On July 11, Gyeongbuk Province presented key provincial issues to Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who visited Gyeongbuk for the first time since taking office.
This visit was organized to review the preparations for the 2025 APEC Summit, which is scheduled for October following the launch of the new administration, and to seek government-level support for its successful hosting.
Kim Hakhong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province (right), is accompanying Kim Minseok, Prime Minister (center), on his visit to Gyeongju, reporting on the preparations for the Gyeongju APEC and requesting special grant funds of 25 billion won.
At the site, Kim Hakhong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, directly explained and made requests regarding major provincial issues, in addition to reporting on the thorough preparations of core infrastructure such as the APEC summit venue, VIP accommodations, and banquet halls.
In particular, he requested that the new administration prioritize the successful hosting of APEC, post-APEC special projects, recovery from wildfire damage in Gyeongbuk and the enactment of a special wildfire law, and the promotion of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport construction as a national project in the new government's policy agenda.
First, regarding the successful hosting of APEC, he requested full government support for major events, including the first-ever APEC High-Level Cultural Meeting to be held at the end of August, the 2025 International Economic Forum in September, the Korea-APEC Business Partnership, and major economic meetings such as the CEO Summit and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) in October.
He also requested a special grant of 25 billion won to support the creation of the APEC 2025 KOREA Memorial Park and the installation of landscape lighting at the summit venue, which are being prepared to enhance the national brand and the image of Gyeongju.
Additionally, he requested support for post-APEC special projects aimed at commemorating and continuing the legacy of a successful APEC, such as the APEC Legacy Project, the hosting of the World Gyeongju Forum, a major renovation of the Bomun Complex, the creation of the Silla Historical and Cultural Tourism City, and the establishment of the Korean Peninsula Peace and Unification Future Center.
Furthermore, in relation to the unprecedented wildfire damage in March, he strongly requested support for the enactment of a "Special Act on Relief and Support for Large-Scale Wildfire Damage," which focuses on innovative reconstruction of affected areas through comprehensive recovery support, designation and operation of leading forest investment zones, and designation and operation of special forest management zones.
He also proposed that, since the relocation of the Gwangju military airport has been designated as a government-led national project, the construction of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, which involves the relocation of the Daegu military airport, should also be converted into a national project to ensure efficient and prompt progress.
Kim Hakhong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, "Gyeongbuk Province is doing its utmost to ensure that key provincial issues are included in the new government's policy agenda," and added, "We will actively cooperate with the government, focusing not only on the proposed tasks but also on regional pledges and major strategic projects where the region has strengths and can achieve tangible results."
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