Governor Kim Requests Active Financial Support for Key 2026 Projects
Including Dedicated Civilian Runway at Cheongju International Airport
On August 14, Kim Younghwan, Governor of Chungbuk Province, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol at the Government Complex Seoul to present key government budget projects for 2026, including the construction of a dedicated civilian runway at Cheongju International Airport, and requested active financial support from the fiscal authorities.
The main proposals included: 500 million won for a preliminary feasibility study for the construction of a dedicated civilian runway at Cheongju International Airport; 14.7 billion won in national funding for the establishment of the AI·BIO Gifted School affiliated with KAIST in Chungbuk; and the strategic early implementation of the "K-Bio Square" project-a core initiative aimed at strengthening national AI and bio competitiveness through Korea's first industry-academia-research-medical convergence-with a total project cost of 2.76 trillion won.
In particular, the construction of a dedicated civilian runway at Cheongju International Airport is considered a key infrastructure project to enhance the airport's role as a central international hub for the central region and as the gateway airport to the administrative capital. The province plans to promptly carry out the preliminary feasibility study and lay the groundwork for full-scale project implementation if the budget is allocated.
Governor Kim stated, "These are essential projects not only for the development of Chungbuk but also for securing new growth engines for Korea, and for fostering national AI and bio industries with a significant technological lead," adding, "I earnestly request your active support to ensure the budget is fully reflected."
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