The Democratic Party of Korea on the 16th held the first meeting of the Special Committee on Honam Development in Jeonju, North Jeolla, and then a budget policy meeting at the North Jeolla Provincial Government, where it discussed regional budgets and pending issues and promised full support. With the Saemangeum International Airport construction plan halted by a court ruling, the party leadership did not issue an official position.
On the day, Party Leader Jeong Cheong-rae presided over the first special committee meeting at the North Jeolla party office conference room with Seo Sam-seok, Chairperson of the Honam Special Committee, Lee Won-taek, North Jeolla Provincial Party Chairperson, and other lawmakers from the region, then attended a budget policy meeting at the North Jeolla Provincial Government with Han Jeong-ae, policy committee chair, Kim Kwan-young, North Jeolla governor, and Moon Seung-woo, provincial council chair, among others. Since taking office as party leader, Jeong has focused on "taking care of Honam," visiting the region three times through the day, including a visit to flood recovery sites in Naju, South Jeolla, as his first official schedule.
In opening remarks at the meeting, Jeong said, "It is time for the state to give birth to and raise the precious child that is Honam," adding, "I will work very hard myself so that the Honam special committee does not end without results and scatter, but actually produces results and bears fruit and outcomes."
At the subsequent budget policy meeting, Jeong said, "I understand next year's North Jeolla budget is 945.85 billion won, the highest ever," adding, "We in the Democratic Party will spare no cooperation so that the bid to host the 2030 Jeonju Summer Olympics can be realized. Because RE100 (100% use of renewable energy) mountain site development and other items are included in the state agenda, we will keep an eye on them and continue to follow up."
North Jeolla Governor Kim Kwan-young said, "Many long-cherished projects for North Jeolla have been reflected in the government's budget proposal, but it is also true that some parts remain insufficient," adding, "The bid to host the Jeonju Summer Olympics and the Saemangeum International Airport issue are extremely important. Please pay special attention so they can proceed normally." At the meeting, North Jeolla Province presented the following as budget support projects: ▲ construction of a new public wastewater treatment plant for the Saemangeum industrial complex (700 billion won) ▲ creation of the Saemangeum National Garden (450 billion won) ▲ establishment of basic research infrastructure and research facilities (250 billion won).
However, regarding the looming cancellation crisis of the Saemangeum new airport construction, which has emerged as the region's most pressing issue, the Democratic Party leadership did not state an official position on the day. National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee Chair Han Byung-do (Iksan-eul, North Jeolla) only noted, "Saemangeum is not at fault. It is time for us to find solutions more wisely and tenaciously."
Earlier, on the 11th, the Seoul Administrative Court canceled the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's basic plan for the Saemangeum International Airport development project, citing the risk of bird strikes and the possibility of ecological destruction. The Saemangeum Airport is a national project to spend 800 billion won by 2029 to build an international airport on the Saemangeum reclaimed land. In response to the ruling, North Jeolla Province said it would begin the appeals process, and seven lawmakers from the North Jeolla region issued a joint statement, arguing, "The project must proceed without interruption." On the other hand, Saemangeum New Airport Abolition Joint Action, an environmental group, is urging the government to forgo an appeal of the first-instance ruling.
Inside and outside political circles, some interpret the Democratic Party leadership's cautious stance as taking into account future legal disputes and consultations with the government. A Democratic Party lawmaker from North Jeolla said, "There has been no injunction, and this is a matter that could go to the Supreme Court, so the project has not been immediately canceled," adding, "The leadership likely intends to prepare thoroughly so recovery is possible through future legal responses rather than fighting politically."
After finishing the North Jeolla schedule, Jeong and the leadership will hold an on-site supreme council meeting and a budget policy meeting in Jeju on the 17th. With the general election next year approaching, the move is seen as a plan to continue rallying the base while attending to regional issues.