Gov. Park Soo-hyun requests state funding for key provincial projects, including historical culture institute and AX initiative
South Chungcheong Province Governor Park Soo-hyun has called on the ruling party to increase next year's government budget allocations for key provincial projects, citing the need to secure the province's long-term growth and strengthen national competitiveness.
The province said Friday it held a budget policy consultation with the Democratic Party of Korea at the provincial government's main conference hall. About 40 people attended, including Governor Park, senior provincial officials, South Chungcheong Provincial Assembly Speaker Jo Cheol-gi, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, floor leader Han Byung-do, policy committee chair Kwon Chil-seung, and National Assembly members Lee Jae-gwan, Eo Gi-gu, Moon Jin-seog, Bok Gi-wang, Lee Jeong-mun and Jeon Eun-su.
At the meeting, Park presented 10 projects requiring additional National Assembly budget appropriations, as the province works toward securing 13.5 trillion won ($9.86 billion) in government funding next year. He asked the party to actively support the projects during the parliamentary budget review process.
The 10 projects are: establishment of a National Historical and Cultural Heritage Promotion Institute; the Five Poles and South Chungcheong AI transformation project; construction of a national veterans cemetery in the South Chungcheong region; a rail link connecting the Seohae Line to the Gyeongbu high-speed line (KTX); construction of a complex innovation center in the South Chungcheong innovation city; construction of a central-region volunteer training center; a premium nighttime standing performance program on Baekje culture; expansion of South Chungcheong's road network, including the Daesan–Dangjin and Sejong–Anseong expressways; construction of a public hanok facility in Buyeo (the Baekje Hall); and development of a K-Heritage Valley.
The province said these projects are expected to contribute not only to South Chungcheong's future growth but also to national competitiveness, and that it plans to engage actively with the National Assembly to secure maximum budget support during the review process.
Governor Park outlined the government's largest-ever investment in advanced industries in the Chungcheong region, the province's "high-speed support administration" to back that investment, its push to achieve balanced AI development across three areas, and the Chungcheong spirit of loyalty and filial piety. "The successful implementation of these projects requires sufficient state funding," he said.
He added that while next year's government budget proposal already reflects 13.26 trillion won for the province — a 7.6 percent increase from this year — an additional 236.8 billion won is still needed to meet the province's target.
He went on to say, "I am grateful for the support you have shown in resolving South Chungcheong's pending issues and securing state funding. I ask for your active attention and support for the Baekje culture premium nighttime standing performance, the South Chungcheong AX initiative, and the South Chungcheong national veterans cemetery, among others."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
