Securing budget for projects that are not reflected in semiconductors, AI, SOC, etc.
Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City and the Democratic Party of Korea held their first budget policy consultation meeting since the launch of the integrated city at the National Assembly on the 30th and agreed to jointly respond to secure additional national funds for next year.
The budget policy council was attended by all party leaders, including Unified Mayor Min Hyeong-bae, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, floor leader Han Byeong-do, Policy Committee Chairman Kwon Chil-seung, Budget and Decision Committee Chairman Lee Kwang-jae, Very Good Local Government Committee Chairman Yeom Tae-young, Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-joon, and Chief of Staff Kim Tae-seon.
In the region, Do-geol Ahn, chairman of the Democratic Party of Jeonnam Gwangju City Party, local lawmakers, and Song Hyeong-gon, chairman of the Jeonnam Gwangju City Council, attended.
The council reviewed the achievements reflected in next year's government budget and discussed projects that were not reflected or were cut and needed to be additionally secured at the National Assembly deliberation stage.
The integrated city has secured KRW 13.9 trillion in next year's government budget, a 6.3% increase from the previous year, of which core projects such as semiconductors, AI (artificial intelligence), and SOC (social overhead capital) are not reflected, requiring additional reflection in the National Assembly's deliberation.
The city requested active support from the Democratic Party for the revitalization of national AI integration complexes that are not reflected in the government or require an increase, construction of high-power semiconductor module infrastructure and support for companies, support for demonstration and commercialization of AI optical semiconductor advanced packaging, and construction of mega project AI data center infrastructure.
It also included the creation of a pilot dried seaweed integration complex, the establishment of an autonomous vehicle safety performance management and human resource training test bed, and the creation of a joint campus for the Goheung Space Launch Vehicle, industry, academia, and research institutes.
Additional proposals included the construction of a future national athlete village, the construction of a sports and performance complex dome stadium, the creation of the Mudeungsan Living Culture Recovery Center, the construction of the AI-Content Convergence Support Center, the creation of Chungjang Asia Anime Culture Street, the creation of a webtoon creative community hub, and the creation of a cultural space for the Sewol Ferry.
The city emphasized that these projects are necessary to spread the integrated effect throughout the region by expanding the metropolitan transportation network, regional industrial base, future industries, and cultural and living infrastructure.
Mayor Min Hyeong-bae said, “Now that we have dispelled concerns about a reduction in national budget due to integration and secured a stable government budget, we will now secure additional budget at the National Assembly deliberation stage to support the integrated special city’s overwhelming growth.”
Floor leader Han Byeong-do emphasized, “We will do our best to secure and revive the budget for key projects that are not reflected in the government during the National Assembly budget deliberation process.”
The city plans to form a 'one team' with the Democratic Party leadership, the Unified City Party, and local lawmakers during the National Assembly's budget deliberation process and do its best to reflect additional national expenses.
