Key Issues Delivered: National Medical School and Petrochemical-Steel Industry Crisis
Proposal for Southwest Energy Innovation Growth Belt
Request for Support to Areas with Over 1 Billion Won in Natural Disaster Damages
Jeollanamdo Governor Kim Youngrok met with Prime Minister Kim Minseok on the 11th to discuss key regional issues, including the establishment of a national medical school, the construction of a Southwest Energy Innovation Growth Belt, and overcoming crises in the petrochemical and steel industries, requesting support. Provided by Jeonnam Province
On August 11, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, met with Prime Minister Kim Minseok and Han Jeongae, Chair of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, to present key regional issues. These included the establishment of a national medical school, the construction of a Southwest Energy Innovation Growth Belt, and overcoming crises in the petrochemical and steel industries.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Kim, Governor Kim requested support to ensure that, when medical school admissions quotas are discussed in 2027, new slots for national medical schools would be prioritized for Jeollanam-do, which currently lacks a medical school. This is a core pledge of President Lee Jaemyung.
Regarding the 33rd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP33) in 2028, for which the region has long campaigned to host, he proposed that, following South Korea's official bid, the southern coastal region centered on Yeosu be designated as the host city in advance.
He also requested an increase in the personnel of the Central Committee to ensure a thorough investigation into the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, a longstanding wish of local residents, and to expedite decisions for the victims and their families.
Additionally, he proposed the creation of a "Southwest Jeonnam Energy Innovation Growth Belt" based on the province's abundant renewable energy resources, such as offshore wind and solar power, to serve as a future innovation hub, including the establishment of RE100 industrial complexes.
Earlier, Governor Kim also met with Policy Committee Chair Han Jeongae to discuss measures for revitalizing the petrochemical and steel industries, which are facing crises due to global oversupply, carbon regulations, and the impact of U.S. tariffs. He proposed designating Yeosu as an employment crisis area and Gwangyang as an industrial crisis response area, enacting a "Special Act on Strengthening and Supporting National Key Industries," and promoting eco-friendly process innovation and industrial transformation.
In relation to the recent announcement by the Presidential Office regarding the establishment of a "next-generation power grid innovation base," he requested swift action to convert petrochemical and steel industrial complexes into renewable energy-based "microgrid industrial complexes."
To support recovery from frequent natural disasters such as extreme heavy rainfall and heatwaves, he proposed that the central government cover 50% of damages in areas with losses exceeding 1 billion won, and that the current maximum disaster insurance premium surcharge rate for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries be reduced from 50% to 10%.
Governor Kim stated, "We will make every effort to ensure that future growth engines and key projects, which are the aspirations of our residents, are rapidly implemented with full national support to drive transformative regional development."
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