Assemblyman Shin Youngdae Secures Record 1.27 Trillion Won National Budget for Gunsan in 2026

Significance of Bipartisan Agreement in Budget Passage
Full Funding Secured for Saemangeum International Airport, New Port, and Access Railway
Entire 110 Billion Won Saemangeum Airport Budget Protected Despite People Power Party’s Cut Proposal
Shin: "Next Year, I Will Focus on Securing New Projects That Citizens Can Experience Firsthand"

Shin Youngdae, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan-gab in North Jeolla Province), announced on December 5 that a total of 1.2747 trillion won has been secured for Gunsan City’s national budget for 2026. This is the largest amount ever, including 23 new projects (worth 17.5 billion won) and 241 ongoing projects (worth 1.2572 trillion won).

Shin Youngdae, Member of the National Assembly. Office of Shin Youngdae.

This budget marks the first under the Lee Jaemyung administration and is also the first in five years to be passed within the statutory deadline. Assemblyman Shin emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting that it was accomplished through bipartisan agreement.

Key projects reflected in the budget include: 120 billion won for Saemangeum International Airport, 71.5 billion won for Saemangeum New Port, 15 billion won for the Saemangeum Port access railway, 18.6 billion won for the Smart Fisheries Processing Complex, and 1 billion won for the Gaeyado National Fishing Port Development.

During the National Assembly’s budget deliberations, the People Power Party called for a 110 billion won reduction in the Saemangeum Airport budget. However, Assemblyman Shin stated that he held urgent consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the ruling party to secure the full amount.

Additionally, in response to increased logistics volume at Gunsan Port, 600 million won was secured for the expansion of two express cargo customs clearance facilities. Cargo volume at Gunsan Port rose from 1.44 million cases in 2021 to 6.87 million cases in 2024.

Other projects that received increased funding during the National Assembly stage include: 1.5 billion won for the Saemangeum Enterprise Growth Center, 1 billion won for new port channel dredging, and 1.225 billion won for the next-generation CCU technology advancement project.

Under the Build-Transfer-Lease (BTL) model, a total of 275.5 billion won was allocated for projects such as 27 billion won for Gunsan National University dormitory construction and 248.5 billion won for industrial complex buffer storage facilities.

In particular, the industrial complex buffer storage facility is a long-awaited project that has been discussed for over a decade and serves as a key infrastructure to prevent hazardous chemical spills.

Assemblyman Shin explained, "Due to the 12·3 Martial Law Incident, last year’s budget was passed without any increase, which placed significant constraints on regional projects. This year, we have included substantial funding for major long-standing projects." He added, "In 2026, I will focus on securing budget allocations for new projects that citizens can experience as tangible changes in their daily lives."