Governor Kim Youngrok Meets Democratic Party Floor Leader Kim Byungki to Discuss Key Issues

Explaining Strategic Industries Such as Renewable Energy
Requesting Support from Chairman Han Byungdo of the National Assembly Budget Committee

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do Province (right), held a meeting with Kim Byungki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the National Assembly in Seoul on the 19th to propose and request cooperation for resolving key national treasury projects in 2026. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do Province, met consecutively with Kim Byungki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Han Byungdo, Chairman of the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, at the National Assembly on the 19th. He explained the necessity of Jeonnam’s key pending issues and requested active support for increasing the national budget allocation for 2026.

This effort to secure national funding was carried out strategically at a time when the review of the 2026 budget and discussions on major laws are in full swing, aiming to ensure that Jeonnam’s future-defining core projects are reflected.

Governor Kim Youngrok stressed, “Now is the golden time to incorporate Jeonnam’s future growth engines into national policy,” expressing a sense of urgency.

In the meeting with Floor Leader Kim Byungki, Governor Kim proposed the following: the establishment of the National Gim Industry Promotion Institute to systematically foster the globally popular gim (seaweed) industry; allocation of admissions for a national medical school within an integrated university in Jeonnam for the 2027 academic year to address the region’s unique lack of a medical school and the resulting healthcare gap; enactment within the year of the Special Act on Renewable Energy Self-Reliant Cities to create RE100 industrial complexes and supporting cities based on renewable energy; enactment of the Special Act on Petrochemical and Steel Industries to support the structural transformation of the Yeosu petrochemical and Gwangyang steel industries; and enactment of the Special Act on Jeonnam Energy and Marine Specialized Cities to grant Jeonnam the necessary authorities and special provisions to lead the national energy transition.

Governor Kim emphasized, “Jeonnam is already prepared to play a national role in the fields of renewable energy, marine industries, and advanced industries. This is not only a success for Jeonnam but also a crucial step to strengthen Korea’s competitiveness and achieve balanced national development.”

In response, Floor Leader Kim Byungki stated, “I fully understand Jeonnam’s sense of urgency. I will actively cooperate to ensure that the relevant bills and budgets are thoroughly discussed in the National Assembly.”

To Chairman Han Byungdo, Governor Kim explained key projects including core SOC (social overhead capital) initiatives; the establishment of a master plan for the National Gim Industry Promotion Institute; creation of an AI-based advanced livestock convergence valley; construction of a digital-based resource circulation pilot industrial complex; establishment of the Jeonnam 5.18 Memorial Hall and community center; attraction of the National Trauma Healing Center’s Jeonnam branch; and construction of the Jeonnam Tidal Flat Life Center.

In particular, regarding the “2026 Year of Visiting Islands” initiative, he highlighted its significance in transforming islands into sustainable tourism resources focused on education, ecology, and experiential activities in connection with the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. He emphasized, “Through the Year of Visiting Islands, we aim to promote stay-type tourism and improve residential conditions on the islands.”

Governor Kim requested, “In line with President Lee Jaemyung’s promise of ‘special compensation for special sacrifices,’ I ask for special support so that Jeonnam can establish a foundation for sustainable growth.”

Jeonnam Province is strengthening cooperation with central government ministries and the National Assembly to ensure that major pending issues are reflected as national projects, and is carrying out comprehensive advocacy activities to secure the passage of key bills and the allocation of necessary budgets.