Daegu city, local lawmakers unite ahead of National Assembly budget review

Daegu city and its local National Assembly lawmakers have activated a joint response framework to address regional issues and secure additional central government funding ahead of the Assembly's budget and legislation review.

Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho met with 13 local lawmakers Monday at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to hold a budget policy consultation, discussing the city's key priorities and strategies for securing national funds.

The meeting focused on major regional challenges, including construction of the Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province new airport, administrative integration between the two regions, a second round of public institution relocations, and the development of future industries.

A closed-door session covered 11 key policy issues and 54 nationally funded projects.

Policy priorities presented included converting the TK new airport relocation project into a state-led initiative, passing a special law on administrative integration before the end of the year, establishing a national dental research institute in Daegu, developing a cultural arts hub on the former provincial government site, and having Kyungpook National University selected for a program aimed at creating 10 universities on par with Seoul National University.

Nationally funded projects were discussed across future industries, transportation and the environment, culture and tourism, and disaster safety. Key projects include developing domestically produced AI semiconductors, building a national robot test field, converting manufacturing factories to physical AI systems, establishing a future aviation mobility center, constructing a metropolitan railway linking Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, and supplying clean water from the Nakdong River.

Daegu city aims to secure more than 10 trillion won in national funding by obtaining additional allocations during the Assembly's review process, building on the record 9.79 trillion won ($7.32 billion) already reflected in the government's 2027 budget proposal.

To that end, once members of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee's subcommittees are confirmed, the city plans to set up budget coordination bases at their offices and strengthen cooperation by sharing regional priorities and budget strategies.

"With the National Assembly's budget and legislation review approaching, Daegu city and the local political community must pool our strength and wisdom," Choo said. "We will spare no effort to secure national funding for resolving key regional issues and fostering future industries."

Kim Seung-su, chairman of the People Power Party's Daegu chapter, said the city's fiscal situation is more strained than ever, making it essential for Daegu city and local lawmakers to give their all during next year's budget review. "We will do our best alongside Daegu city in the National Assembly to resolve regional issues," Kim said.