"We Will Repay the Debt to Honam"... Democratic Party's Honam Special Committee Gathers Citizens' Opinions

Lee Byunghun: "Gwangju's Population Falls Below 1.4 Million... We Must Prevent Young People from Leaving"
"We Will Pursue Party-Government Consultations on Budget, Regulations, and Job Measures"
Park Byungkyu: "Support Needed for Songjeong Station Complex and Railway Undergrounding"
Ongoing Voices on Key Issues Such as Military Airport, Green Belt, and Muan Airport

"The Democratic Party of Korea has relied on the support of Honam in every election, but the achievements left behind have been insufficient. Now, it is time to repay that debt."

Lee Byunghun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Honam Development Special Committee, made this statement at the "Listening to Gwangju Citizens' Opinions for Honam Development" event held at Yunsangwon Hall, Gwangsan District Office on the 14th.

Lee Byung-hoon, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Honam Development Special Committee, is speaking at the "Listening to Gwangju Citizens' Opinions for Honam Development" event held at Yoon Sang-won Hall in Gwangsan District Office on the 14th. Photo by Song Bohyun

Vice Chairman Lee said, "This is the first time in the 70-year history of the Democratic Party that a special committee has been established for the development of a specific region," and added, "Representative Jung Chungrae launched this special committee with a commitment to 'repay the debt to Honam.' This decision stems from the party's reflection that, although it has relied on Honam's support during every election, it has failed to deliver substantial results."

The Honam Development Special Committee, launched in August, is currently operating with committee members in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, and North Jeolla Province. Vice Chairman Lee stated, "Each region has its own issues to resolve, but there are also tasks that must be addressed at a broader, metropolitan level. We plan to gather a wide range of citizen opinions through on-site feedback, email and text submissions, and roundtable discussions with chambers of commerce, civic groups, the media, and elected officials."

Vice Chairman Lee emphasized, "The population of Gwangju has already fallen below 1.4 million. To reverse the reality of young people leaving, we urgently need not only immediate solutions for people's livelihoods but also long-term strategies for sustainable growth. The special committee will compile citizens' opinions and report them to the party leader. Through discussions with President Lee Jaemyung and party-government consultations, we will promote these as five-year projects and policies."

He continued, "Issues that can be resolved locally will be referred to the mayor and district heads, while matters requiring national attention will be submitted to the central government through the party leader. Citizens' demands range from small improvements in daily life to major vision projects. We will compile these into a final report, submit it to the party leader, and make the progress public."

The Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee for Honam Development held an event titled "Listening to the Opinions of Gwangju Citizens for Honam Development" on the 14th at Yunsangwon Hall in Gwangsan District Office, Gwangju, and is taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Song Bohyun

Park Byungkyu, Mayor of Gwangsan District, said, "Gwangsan District accounts for half of Gwangju's area, has the highest proportion of youth among all local governments in the country, and is a young city where seven industrial complexes and about 3,000 companies are concentrated, responsible for 90% of Gwangju's production. It is a key region that will open the future of Gwangju as a central hub for transportation networks such as airports and railways."

Mayor Park proposed the creation of a complex cultural space around Gwangju Songjeong Station, the establishment of Section 4 of Subway Line 2, the construction of a new industrial railway network in Gwangju, the undergrounding of the railway section between Songjeong Station and Geukrakkang Station, and the development of a comprehensive welfare town and medical complex after relocating the Pyeongdong shooting range. He stressed, "Support is needed to ensure that Gwangju, a city of righteousness, is not economically marginalized."

At the event, citizens presented opinions on various issues, including the relocation of the military airport, the outflow of young people, and revitalizing the local economy.

At the "Listening to Gwangju Citizens' Opinions for Honam Development" event held on the 14th at Yoon Sangwon Hall, Gwangsan District Office, Gwangju, a citizen is speaking. Photo by Song Bohyun

One attendee stated, "Alongside realistic measures for people's livelihoods, a long-term development strategy is needed," delivering a broad range of demands from immediate issues to future challenges. Some citizens also mentioned the inconvenience caused by the suspension of international flights after the Muan Airport incident and the resulting slump in the local tourism industry, pointing out, "Practical measures and a clear roadmap are necessary."