Nine Members Including Minister Kim Attend
First Official Meeting Among Six Major Metropolitan Areas Under Amended Transportation Act
Minister Kim: "Organically Connecting Jeonju's Transportation Network Is the Foundation for Linking Living Zones and Mutual Growth"
Regional Meetings for Busan-Ulsan, Daegu, and Others to Be Held Sequentially This Year
Seoul Metropolitan Area Scheduled for Early 2026
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on December 5 that it held the first meeting of the 'Jeonju Metropolitan Transportation Committee' at the Jeonju Arboretum of Korea Expressway Corporation in Jeonju. This meeting marks the inaugural official session of the Jeonju Committee, which was newly established under the amended 'Special Act on the Management of Metropolitan Transportation in Major Cities' enacted in October.
Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, speaking at the Jeonju Metropolitan Transportation Committee. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The meeting was attended by all nine members of the Jeonju Metropolitan Transportation Committee, including Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of North Jeolla Province (represented by the Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs); Kim Yongseok, Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Committee; and Kwon Yongseok, Professor at Jeonju University.
In his opening remarks, Minister Kim emphasized, "This meeting is the first case where the government's regional balanced development strategy is being implemented on the ground," adding, "Jeonju serves as a key hub for North Jeolla Province, connecting industry, culture, and tourism, and is a central point for metropolitan transportation."
He continued, "Organically connecting the transportation networks in the Jeonju area will not only link local living zones but also lay the foundation for mutual growth between the Seoul metropolitan area and regional areas." Minister Kim further stated, "Based on the national policy direction of 'Five Axes, Three Special Zones,' we will continue to promote balanced regional growth."
During the meeting, major transportation infrastructure projects proposed by North Jeolla Province for inclusion in the 5th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan (2026-2030) were discussed. Immediately after the meeting, Minister Kim visited the sites in person to assess the conditions for project implementation.
The sites visited included the Moak-ro road expansion section between Jeonju Sports Complex and Gui in Wanju, the KTX Iksan Station integrated transfer center, and the proposed section of the Jeonbuk Metropolitan Railway. These are key issues focused on improving connections between living zones and transfer systems within North Jeolla Province.
Minister Kim stated, "Expanding the transportation network is a core task for enhancing residents' mobility rights and regional connectivity," and pledged, "We will closely reflect the practical opinions raised on site."
The Jeonju Committee meeting is the first case among the six major metropolitan area committees established under the revised law. Starting with this meeting, the Ministry plans to sequentially hold regional meetings for the Busan-Ulsan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju areas within the year, and comprehensively review the status of metropolitan transportation network construction in each region. The Seoul Metropolitan Committee is scheduled to be held in early 2026.
Meanwhile, Jeonju is also the constituency of Minister Kim, who is a sitting member of the National Assembly. Minister Kim was born and raised in North Jeolla Province, graduated from Jeonbuk National University, served as a local council member, and is currently serving his third term as a National Assembly member for Jeonju-gap (19th, 21st, and 22nd National Assembly).
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