Jeong Cheongrae Visits Gangwon for First Time as Party Leader: "Will Pay Special Attention to Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in the Gangwon region for the first time since taking office as party leader on the 17th.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party of Korea Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the same day, at the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Party Office, Jeong stated, "I will make special efforts to ensure that Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province truly becomes as special as its name suggests." He went on to say, "Although it has been two and a half years since the launch of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, there are ongoing criticisms that it lacks sufficient autonomy and regulatory exemptions, preventing it from fulfilling its practical role." Jeong emphasized that "major issues such as the expansion of Gangwon's transportation network, the full-scale implementation of the Medical AX Advanced Industry Project, the establishment of a medical semiconductor demonstration platform, as well as tourism, energy, and border area development, are all directly linked to balanced national development."

He also pledged party-level support for the passage of the third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act. Jeong explained, "The third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act, jointly proposed by Assemblyman Song Kiheon and others in September last year, primarily focuses on strengthening autonomy to support the vision of a future global industrial city." He added, "We will actively address this at the party level after listening to on-site opinions today."

Previously, Jeong visited Chuncheon during the party convention phase in July, and immediately after taking office as party leader in August, he visited Gangneung to inspect the drought damage situation. Both inside and outside the party, there is speculation that this visit to Gangwon is a strategic move with next year’s local elections in mind. On the same afternoon, Jeong is scheduled to attend the 'Gangneung Water Shortage Budget Securing Briefing' held at the main conference room of the Gangneung Jungbu Saemaeul Geumgo headquarters. The Democratic Party has formed a 'Special Committee on Drought and Water Shortage Countermeasures for the Yeongdong Region,' chaired by Assemblyman Song Kiheon, to discuss ways to secure funding.