Democratic Party of Korea leader Jeong Cheong-rae officially launched the Special Committee for the Development of Honam on the 21st, stating that he would propose to the government to attract the 'Ministry of Climate and Energy' to Honam, which is being discussed as a newly established organization during the government's reorganization process. Although the pledge made during the party convention was deemed unrealistic and seemed to have been virtually shelved, he has expressed a renewed willingness to pursue it.
During his congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony held at the National Assembly that day, Jeong emphasized, "若無湖南是無國家(약무호남시무국가), if there is no Honam, there is no country," and added, "The root of democracy was in Honam, from the Donghak Peasant Revolution to the March 1st Movement, the April 19 Revolution, the Busan uprising, the May 18 Democratic Movement, and the June Democratic Movement.
He continued, "In the last presidential election, President Lee Jae-myung won by a margin of 2.89 million votes, with 92% of those coming from Honam," stating that "according to the president's philosophy of governance, 'special sacrifices entail special rewards,' we must show tangible results.
The remark about the 'Ministry of Climate and Energy attracting to Honam' came from Kim Won-yi, the vice-chairperson of the special committee, who mentioned, "Chairman Jeong promised the establishment of the Ministry of Climate and Energy and its attraction to Honam." In response, Chairman Jeong corrected, "To clarify the facts, I said I would 'propose' it." The proposition for the transfer of the Ministry of Climate and Energy to Honam is an issue pledged by Chairman Jeong during the Democratic Party leadership election.
However, Park Soo-hyun, Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning's Special Committee for Balanced National Growth, stated on the 12th, "There has been no consideration to establish the Ministry of Climate and Energy in other regions that Sejong City is concerned about," thereby drawing a line. The Citizens' Solidarity for Administrative Capital also expressed opposition, stating that it would solidify the fragmented structure of ministries and exacerbate administrative inefficiency. In this context, there is a possibility that the ruling party leader's renewed willingness to attract could reignite controversy.
The launch ceremony was attended by many Honam region lawmakers, including Chairperson Seo Sam-seok, Joo Cheol-hyeon, Kim Won-yi, Lee Seong-yun, Yang Bu-nam, Lee Won-taek, Moon Geum-joo, and Jo In-cheol. The special committee plans to identify tasks based on the president's election pledges, national tasks, and pledges from Chairman Jeong and officially propose them to the presidential office.
Chairman Jeong stated, "If the special committee sets achievable goals, I will try my best to convey them to the government and the presidential office so that they can be realized." Included in the president's pledges for the Honam region are the establishment of a public medical school, improvements in public healthcare, the creation of a future advanced strategic industry cluster, and the construction of an artificial intelligence data center in Haenam.
In the political sphere, the launch of this special committee is seen as a proactive response, mindful of the competition with the Rebuilding Korea Party in the upcoming local elections next year. It is viewed as a strategic move to dispel the 'neglect of Honam' narrative and solidify the traditional support base. Lawmaker Lee Seong-yun remarked, "Every election, the Democratic Party promised development for Honam, but there were resident concerns," evaluating that "the launch of this special committee is an opportunity for the development of Honam that has not been achieved for decades."