Budget Policy Council Held at North Gyeongsang Provincial Government Office
Lee Cheolwoo: "Please Help Enact the Wildfire Enforcement Ordinance"
On November 3, North Gyeongsang Province held the "People Power Party-Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Livelihood Budget Policy Council" at the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government Office, where participants agreed to make a concerted effort to address key provincial issues and secure national funding for core projects in 2026.
The Budget Policy Council was attended by key officials from North Gyeongsang Province, including Governor Lee Cheolwoo, representatives from Daegu City, and major party officials from the People Power Party, such as Party Leader Jang Donghyuk, Floor Leader Song Eonseok, Policy Committee Chair Kim Doeup, Secretary-General Jeong Heeyong, North Gyeongsang Provincial Party Chair Koo Jageun, Daegu City Party Chair Lee Inseon, as well as local National Assembly members. The event served as a platform to convey the region’s real concerns.
People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk (left) is attending the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Budget Policy Council held at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office, clapping hands together with Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongbuk.
Jang Donghyuk, who visited the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government Office for the first time since becoming party leader, stated, "We have arranged this meeting to examine regional livelihood issues and find concrete solutions together. In particular, Governor Lee Cheolwoo made significant efforts to ensure the success of the Gyeongju APEC. His passionate promotion of North Gyeongsang Province has showcased the potential of the region and Gyeongju to companies worldwide, laying the groundwork for a new leap forward. The party will provide strong support so that the success of the Gyeongju APEC becomes a national legacy."
In response, Governor Lee Cheolwoo remarked prior to the Budget Policy Council, "The success of the Gyeongju APEC was made possible by the full support of the People Power Party and the National Assembly, as well as the signature campaign of 1.46 million residents, which led to the 'Special Act on the APEC Summit' and the 'National Assembly Resolution for Successful Hosting of APEC.' Please pay particular attention to post-APEC initiatives so that the legacy of APEC can serve as a new catalyst for Korea's development."
He also emphasized, "We ask for your support in the expansion of Yeongilman Port in preparation for the relocation of the new airport and the opening of the Arctic route, as well as the enactment of a special law to overcome the crisis in the steel industry." Additionally, he expressed his gratitude for the recent passage of the special act on wildfires and requested assistance in enacting enforcement ordinances to support wildfire-affected areas and their reconstruction.
During the council, North Gyeongsang Province proposed key issues and national funding priorities, including post-APEC projects and global initiative strategies, complete recovery and innovative redevelopment of wildfire-affected areas, the New Aviation Yeongilman Port 2-Port Project, five future strategic industries such as AI semiconductors and mobility, major SOC projects, and the transformation of culture, tourism, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The province stressed the need for budget support for these initiatives.
First, the province highlighted the importance of leveraging the legacy of the APEC as a driving force for Korea’s economic and cultural development. It requested support for the "World Gyeongju Forum," which aims to become the Davos Forum of the Korean cultural industry, the APEC Memorial "Cultural Center" and "Future Square," the "Bomun Complex Grand Renovation," and the "Silla Peaceful Unification Garden" using major Gyeongju themes.
Furthermore, as announced in a press briefing on October 1, the province proposed core APEC initiatives such as AI cooperation and a "Future Community Gyeongbuk-Style AI Leadership" vision in response to demographic changes. It suggested adopting the "Gyeongbuk-Style War on Low Birthrate" as a national population response model, establishing a National Population Policy Research Institute in North Gyeongsang Province, and creating an "APEC Global Population Policy Cooperation Committee."
Next, the province emphasized that the recently enacted "Special Act for Relief and Support of Large-Scale Wildfire Damage" would enable the complete recovery and innovative redevelopment of wildfire-affected areas, transforming them into "reviving villages and profitable forests." It also requested additional national funding for related projects, such as the removal of damaged trees in wildfire-affected areas.
Discussions also continued on the early construction of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport and the development of Yeongilman Port. The province stressed that the new airport is a key asset not only for the region but for the entire Yeongnam area, and requested government responsibility in project implementation and funding support. It also called for full-scale development of Yeongilman Port in line with the opening of the Arctic route.
To enhance the future competitiveness of North Gyeongsang Province and Korea, the province highlighted the need to foster new industries such as secondary batteries, energy and hydrogen, and bio, as well as to promote the K-Content industry and expand the composite cultural tourism industry by branding the "Five Hans" (Korean cuisine, hanbok, etc.) representing North Gyeongsang Province. It also stressed the importance of spreading the achievements of the agricultural transformation to the forestry and fisheries sectors, and called for special attention and national funding for major SOC projects such as the Yeongilman Crossing Expressway, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Metropolitan Railway, and Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway.
Additionally, the province requested the establishment of medical schools at Kyungpook National University and POSTECH to innovate regional healthcare, and proposed the enactment of special laws to address crises and strengthen the competitiveness of key regional industries such as steel and secondary batteries.
North Gyeongsang Province has taken a strategic approach to achieving its 2026 national funding target of 12.3 trillion won, holding several national funding briefing sessions since the beginning of the year. Ahead of the National Assembly review, the province has set up a "National Assembly Funding Camp" and is thoroughly preparing for the process.
The leadership of the People Power Party, along with executives from Daegu City and Gyeongbuk Province, gathered for a commemorative photo at the Budget Policy Council held at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office.
Governor Lee Cheolwoo reiterated, "I once again request the National Assembly’s continued attention and special support so that North Gyeongsang Province can stand at the center of Korea's leap toward becoming a first-class nation through post-APEC initiatives, innovative redevelopment of wildfire-affected areas, the new airport and Yeongilman Port, and future strategic industries."
Meanwhile, after the conclusion of the Budget Policy Council, People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk and other party executives visited wildfire-affected areas in Iljik-myeon, Andong City, to comfort displaced residents and listen to their opinions.
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