Key Jeonnam Issues Heavily Reflected in President Lee Jaemyung's National Agenda

Key Projects Such as National Medical School and RE100 Industrial Complex Poised for Takeoff
Kim Youngrok Vows "Tangible Results Residents Can Truly Feel"

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is giving a briefing on the inclusion of Jeonnam's key issues in the national agenda at the Jeonnam Central Cooperation Headquarters Seoul Office on the 13th. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On the 13th, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok stated, "The government's five-year national agenda includes the establishment of a national medical school and an RE100 industrial complex, along with seven key regional pledges and 15 major initiatives. This has laid the foundation for Jeonnam to become a true core axis of Korea's growth."

Governor Kim made this announcement at the Jeonnam Central Cooperation Headquarters Seoul Office, presenting the outcomes and plans related to the inclusion of Jeonnam's key issues in the new government's national agenda. He emphasized, "The 'Land of Opportunity, Jeonnam' has seen its core policies, which we have diligently pursued, now recognized as part of the country's new future vision. Together with our residents, we will confidently usher in the era of 'OK, Now is Jeonnam's Time.'"

Among the national agenda items announced that day, the first item, "Constitutional Amendment for a True Republic of Korea," includes the inclusion of the spirit of the 5·18 Democratization Movement in the preamble to the Constitution as a key topic for constitutional revision. Jeollanam-do, together with Gwangju City, will make every effort to ensure this is included in the preamble, and will also work to advance discussions on constitutional amendments for genuine local autonomy.

The agenda also confirmed the establishment of medical schools in regions currently without one.

Governor Kim stated, "The integrated university medical school is a leading model that perfectly aligns with the new government's policy to foster regional national universities. We aim to open the integrated national medical school by the 2027 academic year and establish a top-tier general hospital with university hospital functions, thereby creating a comprehensive regional healthcare system."

Regarding the inclusion of a renewable energy-centered energy transition, he said, "Jeonnam is now set to become a key hub for the offshore wind and solar industries. We will strive to make Jeonnam a leading region for RE100 national industrial complexes and basic energy income by leveraging our abundant renewable energy resources."

He added, "In line with the new government's regional balanced growth policy, the '5 Poles 3 Special Zones Balanced Development Strategy,' we will establish a Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Local Government, jointly pursue super-regional cooperative projects, and also promote the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

He also announced major provincial issues to be pursued in line with Jeonnam's seven key pledges, which reflect the region's concrete future vision.

First, to dramatically improve residents' health and public healthcare, Jeonnam will actively pursue the establishment of a national medical school and a top-tier general hospital, as well as the expansion of public healthcare infrastructure in medically underserved areas such as islands and rural fishing villages.

To transform the petrochemical and steel industries into eco-friendly, high value-added sectors, Jeonnam will promote the "Petrochemical and Steel Industry Mega Transformation Project," rapidly convert petrochemical and steel industrial complexes into renewable energy-based "microgrid industrial complexes," and build a "clean hydrogen energy industry belt" to overcome current challenges.

To lay a groundbreaking foundation for the growth of AI advanced industries and new renewable energy sectors, Jeonnam will establish the "Solaseado AI Energy Cluster," which integrates an AI data center, RE100 national industrial complex, and a global mini new town; create a "National AI Energy R&D Hub"; establish an "artificial sun research facility"; and pursue the creation of a global "offshore wind power ecosystem."

To launch a new future for Jeonnam's industries by forming advanced strategic industry clusters that will enhance the region's competitiveness, Jeonnam will develop the "Second Space Center," a next-generation space launch site; the "Space Launch Vehicle Science Complex," Korea's version of the Kennedy Space Center; establish a "Future Advanced Materials National Industrial Complex" in the Gwangyang-Suncheon area and designate the Gwangyang Bay area as a "National Advanced Strategic Industry Specialized Complex for Secondary Batteries"; build a "Full-Cycle Naval Vessel MRO Innovation Hub"; create an "AI Autonomous Shipyard Innovation Base" and a "Smart Eco-Friendly Electric Propulsion Ship Cluster"; and establish an "Advanced Biohealth Cluster" to foster advanced strategic industries.

To usher in a new era of development for Jeonnam through large-scale SOC (social overhead capital) projects, Jeonnam will promote the "metropolitan railway network," including Phase 2 of the Honam High-Speed Railway, the Jeolla Line High-Speed Railway, and the electrification of the Gyeongjeon Line; "super-regional expressways," such as the Honam Mega City Expressway; focus on developing Yeosu and Gwangyang Ports as "Arctic Route Hub Ports"; implement national-level regional development and noise mitigation measures for the "relocation and integration of Gwangju's civilian and military airports"; and strengthen the infrastructure of Muan International Airport and Yeosu Airport.

To further enhance the global competitiveness of Jeonnam's agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries by integrating advanced technologies such as AI and biotechnology, Jeonnam will establish an "AI Advanced Agro-Livestock Convergence Zone"; build an "Advanced Green Bioindustry Cluster"; create a "K-GIM National Strategic Industry Cluster"; develop a "K-Seaweed-Based Climate Change Response Platform"; and establish a "Seafood Export Cluster" to achieve world-class competitiveness.

To make Jeonnam a cultural tourism hub connecting the southwestern coastal marine and healing tourism belt with the inland ecological and historical cultural zone, Jeonnam will enact the "Special Act on the Development of the Southern Coastal Region" and establish the "Southern Coast Comprehensive Development Agency"; create "K-Disney Suncheon"; develop an "International Complex Cultural Arts Town"; establish a "National Marine Ecological Park"; build the "Yi Sunshin National Defense Culture and Tourism Belt"; and construct the "Mahan History and Culture Center," thereby completing Jeonnam's tourism axis.

Governor Kim expressed his determination, stating, "I am confident that the new government's philosophy and direction are perfectly aligned with the core policies Jeonnam has been pursuing. I am deeply grateful to the new government and our residents for their overwhelming support, and I will focus all our efforts to ensure that the policies reflected in the national agenda lead to tangible results that our residents can truly feel."

This outcome is seen as the result of President Lee Jaemyung's unwavering commitment to balanced national development, which emphasizes the principle of local priority, and as a response to the enthusiastic support of Jeonnam residents.

Since January of this year, Jeollanam-do has been identifying "Jeonnam Future Development Large-Scale Projects" and, during the early presidential election period, swiftly converted these into presidential pledges, making every effort to have them included in the national agenda. Immediately after the presidential election, Jeonnam formed a "New Government National Agenda Response Task Force" led by the governor, and actively visited the National Planning Committee, the Presidential Office, and the National Assembly to ensure that Jeonnam's key issues were reflected in the national agenda.