Lee Gaeho: "Gwangju and Jeonnam Must Unite for Integration... Shared Understanding with the President"

"Job Creation Is the Solution to Regional Extinction"
Second Phase of Public Institution Relocation Will Bring "Overwhelming Benefits"
Promoting Mokpo as a Central City for the 'RE100 Industrial Complex'
Proposing a "Two-Campus" Model for New Medical School
"Mokpo and Suncheon Should Share Enrollment Quotas"
"India Envoy Appointment Based on Trust with President Lee Jaemyung"

Representative Lee Gaeho presented a direction for the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam through the "Voice of Jeonnam, Town Hall Meeting" held in Mokpo on the 10th. Photo by Representative Lee Gaeho's office

Lee Gaeho, a National Assembly member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong in South Jeolla Province, expressed his support for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, stating, "Rather than engaging in wasteful competition, it is more efficient and rational to unite our strengths." He was the first to voice support for the integration and, based on his consensus with President Lee Jaemyung, once again emphasized the need for swift progress before July.

On the 10th, during the "Voices of Jeonnam, Town Hall Meeting" held in Mokpo, Lee stated, "The integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam is now an established trend," adding, "At the luncheon meeting with President Lee Jaemyung yesterday (the 9th), we naturally agreed on the necessity of integration."

He further emphasized the practical benefits of integration, saying, "Even in the upcoming second phase of public institution relocations, a unified region will be able to secure overwhelming advantages compared to a fragmented response."

Regarding the long-standing aspiration to integrate Mokpo, Muan, and Shinan in the southwestern region, he said, "As a former Deputy Mayor of Mokpo, I deeply understand the urgency," and added, "With Gwangju and Jeonnam moving toward integration, it is only a matter of time before these areas also need to be united."

As a solution to the looming risk of regional extinction, he identified "high-quality jobs" as the key remedy.

Lee explained, "The population of Mokpo has decreased by 60,000 over the past 20 years," and continued, "Given the need to supply electricity-an essential resource in the AI era-through renewable energy, Mokpo and the Jeonnam coast possess an offshore wind power potential equivalent to 22 gigawatts, which is the capacity of 20 nuclear power plants."

He went on to stress, "We must establish an 'RE100 industrial complex' where this electricity is consumed directly in our region," and argued, "Mokpo, as the mother city of the energy industry and the central axis of the southern semiconductor belt, has all the conditions to restore its former glory."

For the issue of establishing a new medical school, which has faced significant challenges, he proposed a "two-campus system" as an alternative.

Lee stated, "Discussions to merge Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University have reached an impasse due to student opposition," and asserted, "The most realistic approach is to split the enrollment quota 50-50 and utilize existing medical facilities for affiliated hospitals, thereby reducing project costs through a 'two-campus' model."

He added, "As a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, I secured the government's commitment to open the school by 2028, and the President also expressed a firm intention to make it happen."

Lee also shared his deep personal connection and political reflections regarding Mokpo. He said, "I lived in Mokpo for seven years, serving as Deputy Mayor, Head of the Naman New Town Promotion Team, and Secretary-General of the F1 Organizing Committee," and praised Mokpo as "the city of Kim Daejung, the sacred ground of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and a city renowned for its cuisine and artistic heritage."

Additionally, he recalled his time as Policy Committee Chair during Lee Jaemyung's tenure as Democratic Party leader, where he oversaw general election pledges and, based on trust, served as the first special envoy to India. He pledged, "Politics is ultimately about wiping away the tears of the vulnerable. I promise to always stand with you through warm-hearted politics."