South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Young-rok has begun to focus on targeting the National Assembly, including local issues and securing national treasury. On the 13th, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok met with the policy committee chairs and standing committee chairs of the ruling and opposition parties one after another at the National Assembly and proposed resolving regional issues such as special tax benefits for Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province and Opportunity Development Zones and additional increases in the 2025 national budget deliberation process.
The lawmakers interviewed on this day included People Power Party Policy Committee Chairman Kim Sang-hoon, Democratic Party of Korea Policy Committee Chairman Jin Seong-jun, Public Administration and Security Committee Chairman Shin Jeong-hoon, Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Chairman Maeng Seong-gyu, Strategy and Finance Committee Secretary Jeong Tae-ho, and National Assembly members Park Ji-won and Seo Mi-hwa.
Governor Kim Young-rok explained regional issues and requested support, saying, “In order for Jeollanam-do to wisely overcome the crisis of local extinction and firmly establish itself as a key growth axis of the Republic of Korea, active interest at the National Assembly level is more urgent than ever.”
Regarding the establishment of the Jeollanam-do National Medical University, a long-standing wish of the residents of the province, he said, “Discussions on an ‘integrated medical school’ that can secure the right to health for all residents while being in line with the government’s 1-province-1-national-university policy direction and regional coexistence and harmony have reached their final stages.” “If you recommend an integrated medical school to the government, please actively support the government to expedite the process of establishing a new national medical school for the 2026 school year.”
Regarding the establishment of the ‘Jeollanam Special Self-Governing Province, which overcomes the crisis of regional extinction,’ he said, “There are limits to the implementation of leading policies due to the lack of authority and finances in local areas.” “We will make it a new model,” he said, requesting support for the enactment of the ‘Jeollanam Special Self-Governing Province Special Act to Overcome the Crisis of Local Extinction’.
Regarding special tax benefits for opportunity development zones, he emphasized, “As non-metropolitan areas have many difficulties in attracting companies and securing manpower, it is necessary to quickly implement the expansion of family business inheritance deductions and expansion of income tax deductions for workers in special zones, focusing on areas at risk of population extinction.” did it
The establishment of the South Coast Comprehensive Development Agency and the enactment of a special law for the development of the south coast area were also requested. Governor Kim Young-rok said, “In order to systematically and comprehensively promote southern coastal development projects such as SOC, tourism, and maritime, a special law for the development of the southern coastal area must be enacted, and the South Coast Comprehensive Development Agency, a central regional integrated administrative agency, must be established.”
Governor Kim Young-rok also said, “SOC, which will serve as a priming force for regional economic development and tourism revitalization, requires fair distribution of project costs in consideration of regional equity, but the national budget in the 2024 budget and 2025 government plan is far from sufficient,” adding, “Regional core projects must be
Major projects related to SOC increase include the Honam High-Speed Railway Phase 2 project cost of KRW 130 billion (total project cost of KRW 2.81 trillion), National Road No. 77 Shinan Aphae-Haenam Hwawon Connecting Road project cost of KRW 53.9 billion (total project cost of KRW 579.4 billion), and Yeosu Hwatae ~Baekya Connecting Road Project Cost: KRW 40.7 billion (Total Project Cost: KRW 624.4 billion), etc. There are 17 projects.
Jeonnam Province, which has switched to an all-out response system to the National Assembly’s budget deliberation, has the governor and all heads of offices and bureaus visit the National Assembly from time to time to consult closely with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, central ministries, and local lawmakers, and reorganize projects that are not reflected in the government plan until the final resolution of the National Assembly to do as much as possible. We plan to do our best to secure a large budget.
Meanwhile, South Jeolla Province held an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of friendly exchanges with Sichuan Province at the Century City International Convention Center in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, on the 13th, looking back on past cooperation achievements between the two regions and pledging to further strengthen cooperative relations in the future.
About 100 people attended the commemorative event, including South Jeolla Province Administrative Governor Myung Chang-hwan, Sichuan Province high-ranking officials, local related organizations, and citizens.
The event consisted of a high-level meeting to share the results of friendly exchanges between the two regions and seek future development, a promotional video screening, and a congratulatory performance by a traditional art troupe.
In addition, as part of the Korean food experience program, participants experienced making kimbap, abalone drinks, seasoned seaweed, etc., and various programs such as a lucky draw were held. As a side event, a hanbok experience, promotional photos of Jeonnam Province, and an exhibition of special products were held to inform Sichuan citizens of Jeonnam’s charm.
In addition, the Jeollanam-do Pavilion was opened at CJ CGV in Chengdu to promote Jeonnam’s cultural and tourism resources to the citizens of Sichuan Province. It is scheduled to operate for three months until mid-February 2025.
Vice Governor Myeong Chang-hwan said, “Based on the achievements of cooperation over the past 20 years, South Jeolla Province and Sichuan Province will continue sustainable development and cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, tourism, culture, and youth exchange in the future,” adding, “By combining the strengths of the two regions, we will create a global partnership.” “Let’s create a new model of cooperation that grows together on stage,” he said.
In addition to the celebratory performance on this day, the Jeonnam Provincial Traditional Korean Music Group visited Chengdu, Dai County, and Mianyang City in Sichuan Province and presented a moving performance tour to appreciate the traditional culture of Jeollanam-do.
On the 13th, Jeollanam-do Human Resources Development Institute signed a mutual cooperation agreement with Haenam Mountain Garden, Jangheung Integrated Medical Hospital, and Jindo Museum of Contemporary Art, which operate excellent educational content under the theme of ‘healing’ and ‘rest’, to provide a variety of on-site professional training courses to public officials.
In accordance with the agreement, the Jeonnam Human Resources Development Institute coordinates comprehensive planning of field education and inter-agency roles.
Haenamsan Mountain Garden offers experiential education on ecological values and sustainable life, including healing activities in nature, Jangheung Integrated Medical Hospital offers preventive health management education combining modern and traditional medicine, and Jindo Museum of Contemporary Art offers local art and culture. We operate a creativity and sensitivity promotion program with exhibition content incorporating.
The four organizations that participated in the agreement are expected to not only maximize the synergy effect of field education by actively utilizing excellent local resources and experts.
“By combining the specialized fields of each institution, we will provide residents and public officials with in-depth field education on body and mind healing,” said Yoon Yeon-hwa, director of Jeonnam Province Human Resources Development Institute. “We will further develop Jeonnam Province’s field education environment through continuous expansion of exchange and cooperation.” “I will do it,” he said.
The Jeonnam Provincial Human Resources Development Institute operates job and competency training for public officials and 143 e-learning courses visited by approximately 65,000 people annually. It is a representative education and training institution in Jeollanam-do, both in name and reality, and is responsible for educating about 800 Jeonnam residents.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo: Jeonnam Province
What are the benefits of professional training programs for public officials in enhancing local governance?
Professional training programs focused on enhancing the well-being and skills of public officials, aiming to improve the quality of public service in the region. The collaborations will enable participatory learning experiences, emphasizing the importance of health and wellness in public administration.
The agreement reflects the ongoing commitment of Jeollanam-do to strengthen the capabilities of its workforce while promoting local institutions and resources. Each participating organization will contribute to the curriculum development with their respective expertise, allowing for a richly diverse training program tailored to the needs of public officials.
Governor Kim Young-rok expressed optimism regarding these initiatives, stating that such programs are not only vital for individual development but are also essential for fostering a proactive and responsive local government that can effectively tackle the pressing challenges facing Jeollanam-do, including regional extinction threats. He emphasized the need for continuous improvement and adaptation in governance practices to better serve the community.
these steps demonstrate a multi-faceted approach to regional governance, integrating budget advocacy at the national level with local capacity building and international cooperation to create more resilient and sustainable communities in South Jeolla Province.